KANSAS CITY -- Royals catcher Salvador Perez is the leading vote-getter at his position in the first update of the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot.
Perez, a four-time All-Star, has 420,268 votes, leading second-place Welington Castillo of the Orioles by more than 80,000 votes.
"It feels pretty good," Perez said. "Thank you to the fans. Hopefully they keep voting for me and my teammates. And we'll go see."
Being voted in for the All-Star Game means much to Perez.
"It's a lot of fun," Perez said. "I've got four. The first one was Mariano Rivera's last All-Star Game. The second one was Derek Jeter, a guy you know's going to be in the Hall of Fame. To be around that moment, that day, it's a little exciting."
Eric Hosmer, last year's MVP of the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, was fourth in voting at first base with 225,989. Being a part of the All-Star Game, which is in Miami, would mean a trip home for Hosmer, who lives in South Miami. He trails the leader, Jose Cabrera of the Tigers, by about 100,000 votes.
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Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 10:59 p.m. CT. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.