The 2013 MLB All-Star Game is just two weeks away and there are still interesting races remaining in the ballot. The crew of ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" commended the fans on doing such a great job this year as they appear to be better prepared, voting for guys who truly deserve to start in the All-Star Game. That could be the reason why certain players are surging in the ballots as the game is quickly approaching.
First Base: Joey Votto
The first base ballot is jammed with guys like Paul Goldschmidt, Freddie Freeman and Adrian Gonzalez available as starters. However, Votto's .325 average, 14 home runs and 38 RBI seem to be what the fans are craving to watch. This pick doesn't make the previous comment about the fans true, since Goldschmidt has out produced all four of these guys with his 20 home runs and 69 RBI. However, the fans want Votto.
Second Base: Brandon Phillips
The game might as well take place in Cincinnati. Two Reds are leading the votes and this is truly based on popularity. Phillips is one of the more well liked guys in baseball. Phillips is first with 61 RBI and second with 11 home runs amongst second basemen. Nobody else deserves to start at second base, but Phillips.
Third Base: David Wright
It's crazy to think that Wright wasn't leading the votes to begin with, but an injury that sidelined the Kung Fu Panda, Pablo Sandoval, has allowed the Mets' third baseman to get a ton of support from fans. He is currently the leading vote getter and he is performing well on the field. With a .306 average, 12 home runs, 42 RBI and 14 stolen bases, Wright is the most efficient third baseman in baseball. Pedro Alvarez has 20 home runs and 53 RBI, but he's a likely candidate for the home run derby.
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki
This is where you hope a guy like Jean Segura can get the support from the fans. Tulowitzski hasn't played a game of baseball since mid-June and Segura has dominated big-league pitching so far this season. He has a .325 batting average, 11 home runs, 33 RBI and 24 stolen bases. Maybe a guy like Ian Desmond can back him up as he's hitting .275 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI.
Catcher: Yadier Molina
Buster Posey's late serge in the first half in the season hasn't done much for him as Molina controls the voting. Fans want great catching and hitting to represent the league and that's why the have called on Molina. The St. Louis Cardinals' catcher is hitting .345 with six home runs and 44 RBI. He's also catching one of the better pitching rotations in baseball.
Outfielders: Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Beltran, Justin Upton
Out of the three, the least deserving has to be Upton. His hot start at the beginning of the season has allowed him to continue receiving votes, but the production hasn't been there as of late. He hit 12 home runs in the first month of baseball and has only hit three since. Not too far, just 15,000 votes away, is Washington Nationals' outfielder, Bryce Harper who is fresh off the DL and already hitting home runs.
The final day to vote for your favorite All-Stars is Thursday, July 4.
