Miggy faces competition for starting nod in All-Star Game
DETROIT -- While Miguel Cabrera tries for his third consecutive All-Star starting nod, Victor Martinez, Jose Iglesias, Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez will try for their first. They're among the Tigers on this year's All-Star ballot released Wednesday.
Cabrera again encounters a packed field of candidates at first base, led by White Sox slugger Jose Abreu and hot-hitting Yankees veteran Mark Teixeira. Other former All-Stars at first include ex-teammate Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer.
Though V-Mart finished as the American League MVP runner-up last year, he lost out to Nelson Cruz for the starting nod at designated hitter in the Midsummer Classic. Cruz is back on the ballot at DH, this time with the Mariners, along with perennial candidate David Ortiz. Alex Rodriguez and Chris Davis are also listed in the DH slot.
Kinsler lost out in a three-way battle with Seattle's Robinson Cano and Boston's Dustin Pedroia for last year's starting honors at second base. They're all back on the ballot and could have competition with hot-hitting rookie and former Tigers prospect Devon Travis, along with the Twins' Brian Dozier.
Iglesias joins the ballot for the first time in his career, having missed last year with stress fractures in both shins. He already has a highlight reel of defensive gems to help his case against J.J. Hardy, Jose Reyes, Elvis Andrus, Alexei Ramirez and others. No Tiger has started an All-Star Game at shortstop since Dick McAuliffe in 1966.
J.D. Martinez also joins the ballot coming off not only his breakout 2014 season, but a torrid start to 2015.
Other Tigers on the All-Star ballot include former All-Star Alex Avila at catcher, Nick Castellanos at third base, and outfielders Rajai Davis and Yoenis Cespedes. Anthony Gose, who has split time with Davis in center field this year, is not on the ballot.
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.
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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.