The 2022 MLB All-Star Game: Judge and Harper to Start

In an announcement on Thursday, it was revealed that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper secured the starting positions for the upcoming All-Star Game on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Judge led the MLB with an impressive 3,425,309 votes during the initial round of fan balloting, marking his sixth American League start in seven All-Star Games. His absence last year was due to a sprained right big toe, but he made a triumphant return this year by becoming the leading vote-getter once again.

Harper, on the other hand, garnered the most votes in the National League and was second overall in the MLB with 3,277,920 votes. This All-Star Game selection will mark his eighth appearance, with seven of those being as a starter. The rule changes implemented in 2022 granted starting spots to the top vote-getter in each league during the initial phase of online voting, which began on June 5 and concluded on Thursday.

The voting process for the All-Star Game consists of two phases, with the first phase determining the starting positions and the second phase selecting final positions. For the upcoming game, fans can vote once per 24-hour period, with the remaining starters set to be announced on June 30. Pitchers and reserves, on the other hand, will be revealed on July 7. Notably, six players each from the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies progressed to the second phase of voting.

In the American League, notable finalists include catcher Salvador Perez and Adley Rutschman, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ryan Mountcastle, second baseman Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien, third baseman Jose Ramirez and Jordan Westburg, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr., outfielders Steven Kwan, Anthony Santander, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker, and designated hitters Yordan Alvarez and Ryan O’Hearn.

Meanwhile, in the National League, catcher finalists include William Contreras and J.T. Realmuto. The All-Star Game promises to be an exciting event with top players like Judge and Harper leading the pack as starters. Stay tuned for further updates on the remaining starters and the full roster for the highly anticipated game.