Tulo leads NL shortstops in first All-Star ballot update

CINCINNATI -- Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has built an early lead in National League All-Star voting at his position, but left fielder Carlos Gonzalez -- one of the most productive outfielders in the Majors -- is shockingly far out of the top three spots.

Also, productive outfielders Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer aren't even in the top 15, according to early balloting results released Tuesday.

But there is plenty of time. 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 9:59 p.m. MT.

Tulowitzki, vying for his third All-Star Game appearance and first as an elected starter, leads the National League in slugging percentage, has battled for the lead in RBIs and has been among the top five in batting average and top 10 in home runs.

Tulowitzki has received 1,025,844 votes, which is more than 357,000 more than the second-place shortstop, the Giants' Brandon Crawford. Tulowitzki has made two appearances, and was nearly voted to the starting lineup in 2011 before Jose Reyes, then with the big-market Mets, overtook him with a late push.

Gonzalez made his first All-Star Game appearance last year, as the designated hitter in a game played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. But despite entering Tuesday's play tied for second in the NL in home runs and ranking fourth in slugging, he is 10th among outfielders. The top three at the end of the voting become All-Star Game starters.

Fowler is in what many consider a breakout season with 10 home runs -- three short of his career high -- and a .417 on-base percentage from the leadoff position, which is third highest among NL players with more than 100 leadoff at-bats.

Cuddyer missed 14 games with a neck injury, but his .344 batting average would place him tied for second in the league if he had enough plate appearances to qualify, something that should happen soon as he continues to be a healthy and productive part of the lineup.

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. Fans will 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 6 p.m. MT on Monday, July 15.

The 2013 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 7, on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com on MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. 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.