Torrid run keeps Judge atop AL vote-getters

June 13th, 2017

NEW YORK -- There seems to be little that can't do on a ballfield, and after a week in which the rookie slugger announced himself as a Triple Crown threat, the Yankees outfielder remains the American League's top vote-getter for the MLB All-Star Game presented by MasterCard.
Pacing the AL in batting average (.347) and home runs (22) entering Tuesday, Judge was just one RBI (49) behind the Mariners' (50) for the AL lead on the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot. Judge has tallied 1,893,260 votes through the third checkpoint, as announced on Tuesday by Major League Baseball.
Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for Judge and other #ASGWorthy players
Only the Nationals' (2,132,795) has tallied more overall votes than Judge. The 88th All-Star Game is scheduled to be played on July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami.
"I'm really thinking about my teammates," Judge said. "I'm really in a good position here, surrounded by a lot of good players, young and old. They're just putting me in a good spot."
Joe DiMaggio (1936) and Hideki Matsui (2003) are the only previous Yankees rookies to start a Midsummer Classic.
"He's had an unbelievable first 2 1/2 months of the season, no question," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "The homers are great and the RBIs are great, but I look at the two-strike hits, and the discipline and the walks, and making pitchers work and going first to third, going first to home. Everything that he does, it's not just a power bat. This is a complete player, and we're reaping the benefits of it."

Second baseman (1,072,305) held a lead at the first checkpoint, but he was overtaken by (1,615,938) of the Astros in the second week, and he continues to rank second at his position.
Designated hitter (689,918) -- a seven-time All-Star -- still ranks second only to Cruz (863,549) among AL DHs.
Other Yankees with notable showings at the third balloting checkpoint are Didi Gregorius (609,316, third among AL shortstops), (710,388, fourth among AL catchers) and Brett Gardner (571,436, eighth among AL outfielders).
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 11:59 p.m. ET. 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.