With final boost, Frazier named ASG starter
Third baseman voted into first All-Star starting lineup, will play in front of home fans on July 14
CINCINNATI -- With the equivalent of a big kick in the last lap of a race, Reds third baseman Todd Frazier sprinted his way in the final week of voting into the starting lineup for the National League All-Star team. Frazier will get to represent the host Reds in the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile on July 14 at Great American Ball Park.
• Cast your Esurance Final Vote for Cueto
A two-time All-Star and first time starter, Frazier was elected by the fans with 9,233,686 votes. It was almost 2.1 million votes ahead of the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter, who led each week in voting updates. Frazier is the first Reds player to start in the All-Star Game since Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto in 2013, and the first Cincinnati third baseman to start since Chris Sabo in 1991.
"I was really nervous. I was excited. It was a huge comeback," Frazier said.
:: All-Star Game on Fox: July 14, 7 ET air time | 8:15 game time ::
On June 16, Carpenter held a commanding lead and was 2.5 million votes ahead of Frazier, who was in third place, also behind Cubs rookie Kris Bryant. The Reds organized an all-out voting push around Cincinnati to promote Frazier, who gained around 2.3 million votes in one week to move into second place and close the gap to 1.2 million.
By last week, Carpenter's lead was reduced to just below 63,000 votes.
"It was huge. It's tedious to do," Frazier said of voting. "People back at home [in New Jersey] were fighting for me, too."
Frazier was named to the All-Star team as a reserve last season and also finished second in the Gillette Home Run Derby. He also plans on being a Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders participant again this year in his home ballpark.
Over his 79 games this season, Frazier is batting .285/.344/.602 with 25 home runs that had him two behind injured Major League leader Giancarlo Stanton. Frazier also has a team-leading 54 RBIs and leads the NL in extra-base hits (50) and total bases.
Video: Frazier, Price on third baseman's All-Star selection
"I always have confidence in my abilities," Frazier said. "Even if I'm doing bad, I still feel like my next swing is going to be the one that drives a run in or gets a guy over. Do I feel confident in myself? Always.
"It's going to be a great time. I'm pretty much going to have 14-15 people coming. They're just as excited as I am."
Frazier is on pace to hit 50 homers this season and with 24 doubles already, he could be the first Reds hitter to ever produce at least 40 homers and 40 doubles in a single season.
"I think it was just a big stand-up effort, not just to get a Red in the starting lineup but to get a guy that deserved to be in the starting lineup and make a push and really focus on a particular player," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "As much as I think we have players here that are All-Star caliber players, we certainly have one who without a doubt deserves to be in that starting lineup. Todd is the guy and Cincinnati rallied big time to get him in."
With 16 saves in 17 chances and a 1.78 ERA, Aroldis Chapman could be an All-Star for a fourth-straight year. Rotation ace Johnny Cueto is seeking his second invite in as many years. Could four-time All-Star Votto return to the roster after he missed out last year while injured?
Fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each league until 4 p.m. ET on Friday, July 10.
Voting is open now at MLB.com to select the final player for each League's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each League until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
And the voting doesn't end there. During the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The 86th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), 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 of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.