Trout motoring toward start in All-Star Game
Four days remain in fan voting for the upcoming All-Star Game, but you can go ahead and pencil in Mike Trout for the American League's starting lineup.
When the latest results were revealed on Monday, Trout had reclaimed the lead among AL outfielders with 4,822,983 votes. That's about 60,000 votes more than Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (4,766,256) and more than two million ahead of the fourth-place Nick Markakis, whose 2,536,864 votes are just shy of the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista (2,679,230) for the third and final spot in manager Jim Leyland's lineup. Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter -- Trout's mentor -- ranks fifth, with 2,390,336.
Trout's hot June solidified his standing. The 21-year-old center fielder batted .358 this past month (39-for-109) and is putting up numbers somewhat comparable to those of his historic rookie season in 2012. Halfway through the season, Trout has posted a .315/.392/.545 slash line, with 13 homers, 52 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
In a couple of weeks, Trout should become the first Angels position player to start the All-Star Game since Vladimir Guerrero in 2007. And at 21 years, 343 days old, Trout would be the youngest position player to do it since Ivan Rodriguez (21 years, 225 days) in 1993, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 8:59 p.m. PT.
Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll, where they'll have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 5 p.m. PT on Monday, July 15.
Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 3:30 p.m. PT on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.
From Saturday, July 6 to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each League's All-Star roster.
The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, 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 also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (third in fan votes at his position), designated hitter Mark Trumbo (fifth) and outfielder Josh Hamilton (13th) remain among the voting leaders but need near-miracles to nab starts.
Howie Kendrick has been unable to crack the top five among second basemen, despite batting .317 with an .833 OPS.