Royals have eight leading in All-Star voting

MILWAUKEE -- Make that eight -- count 'em, eight -- Royals that are leading at their positions in the American League voting for the All-Star Game, which will be played on July 14 in Cincinnati.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.

The latest Royal to jump into first place is second baseman Omar Infante, who surpassed Houston's Jose Altuve, 4,518,765 votes to 4,209,702. Infante, a 2010 National League All-Star, could become the second Royals second baseman to be voted in the All-Star Game (Frank White in 1979).

The other seven Royals leaders also were leading last week in voting. Incidentally, the last team to have at least seven starters voted in was the 1957 Reds. Commissioner Ford Frick suspected ballot-box stuffing in Cincinnati and removed two Reds starters and inserted Willie Mays and Hank Aaron instead.

Royals manager Ned Yost said he has no problem with the way Royals fans have voted.

"It would be hard if I wasn't a Kansas City Royal or a Royals fan," Yost said. "But our fans are voting. And everyone can vote. All fans from all teams can vote. I'm not going to complain the system is flawed because of our fans are voting.

"I'm not uncomfortable with it. I'm not. If I had the chance to take everyone to the All-Star Game, I would."

First baseman Eric Hosmer continues to lead Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, 5,777,363 to 5,301,216.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas continues to lead Toronto's Josh Donaldson, 6,505,248 to 4,880,315. Donaldson, though, received more than 2.5 million votes last week.

Catcher Salvador Perez remains the AL leading vote getter with 7,202,292. Perez is followed by Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (3,260,864).

Perez is followed in the AL in overall voting by his teammate Lorenzo Cain, who leads AL outfielders with 6,611,781 votes. Mike Trout of the Angels is second among outfielders with 5,944,068 votes, while Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is third with 5,581,096 votes. Royals outfielder Alex Rios is fourth with 3,952,551 votes.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar leads at shortstop with 6,332,981 votes. Second is Jose Iglesias of the Detroit Tigers (3,491,530).

And Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales leads Seattle's Nelson Cruz, 5,422,250 to 4,873,273.

Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.

Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.