The Back Sports Page baseball writers submit their ballots for Phase 1 of this year’s All-Star Game on July 16.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game is only a few weeks away, and now is the time for fans to vote. Phase 1, where people can vote for anyone at each position other than pitcher, closed Thursday. Here at Back Sports Page, just like last year, our baseball writers took part in the annual tradition and now publish them for the world to see.
In the official results, OF Aaron Judge and 1B Bryce Harper are the top vote getters in each league, meaning they automatically start the All-Star Game. There are two finalists at the other spots in each league.
AL BSP Round Table
Catcher
Ben Schneider: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
Jesus Barrera: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
Joshua Ambroise: Salvador Perez, Royals
Michael Angers: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
Nate Powalie: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
Rutschman and Perez are the two finalists, as the Kansas City Royals backstop is experiencing a remarkable late-career resurgence. Rutschman is the leader of the Baltimore Orioles as a great game caller, and he is hitting for more power by being more aggressive in the box.
First Base
Ben: Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles
Jesus: Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles
Joshua: Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays
Michael: Josh Naylor, Guardians
Nate: Josh Naylor, Guardians
In a down offensive season, there is more of a debate here. Mountcastle has been a consistent force for years and is now slugging .471. Vlad is no longer an MVP, but he is still the most dangerous hitter on the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cleveland Guardians are one of the best teams in the league, and Naylor crushing the ball is a big reason why.
Second Base
Ben: Jose Altuve, Astros
Jesus: Jose Altuve, Astros
Joshua: Jose Altuve, Astros
Michael: Marcus Semien, Rangers
Nate: Marcus Semien, Rangers
The two finalists are familiar rivals with each other. Altuve is adding to his Hall of Fame resume while bringing the Houston Astros back to life. Semien had a nagging injury earlier this season but is still a fan favorite and plays more often than anyone else.
Third Base
Ben: Jordan Westburg, Orioles
Jesus: Jose Ramirez, Guardians
Joshua: Rafael Devers, Red Sox
Michael: Rafael Devers, Red Sox
Nate: Jose Ramirez, Guardians
We have three great picks at the hot corner, including two stars. Westburg has been a pleasant surprise by playing great defense with opposite-field power. Devers is by far the best hitter on the Boston Red Sox and as fun as ever. Ramirez has 21 homers and will once again receive MVP votes.
Shortstop
Ben: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Jesus: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Joshua: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Michael: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Nate: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
As great as SS Bobby Witt, Jr. is, he is not quite as awesome as Henderson. The franchise player has a real case for MVP at just 22 years old.
Outfield
Ben: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees), Steven Kwan (Guardians)
Jesus: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees), Kyle Tucker (Astros)
Joshua: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees), Kyle Tucker (Astros)
Michael: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees), Jarren Duran (Red Sox)
Nate: Mike Trout (Angels), Juan Soto (Yankees), Steven Kwan (Guardians)
Soto has somehow gotten even better, and Judge had an all-time great May after a lackluster April. Kwan has already set a career-high in homers and leads the Majors in hitting. Tucker is already a two-time all-star, but he is suddenly one of the top power hitters in the lead. Duran, meanwhile, is having a breakout season at the plate and in the field while maturing in the clubhouse. Trout gets a legacy vote for the Los Angeles Angels while missing a significant chunk of the year.
Designated Hitter
Ben: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Jesus: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Joshua: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Michael: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Nate: David Fry, Guardians
Now that a certain two-way player is in the NL, Alvarez is clearly the best DH in the Junior Circuit. Fry might have the most shocking breakout going on right now, as the utility player has an OPS of .941 after putting up an average line last season.
NL BSP Round Table
Catcher
Ben: William Contreras, Brewers
Jesus: William Contreras, Brewers
Joshua: William Contreras, Brewers
Michael: William Contreras, Brewers
Nate: Will Smith, Dodgers
Contreras has quickly become one of the top catchers in baseball in his second season with the Milwaukee Brewers. Smith is quietly reliable for the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting after the headline-grabbing stars. He should be a finalist over C J.T. Realmuto, who advanced based on reputation as a three-time all-star.
First Base
Ben: Bryce Harper, Phillies
Jesus: Bryce Harper, Phillies
Joshua: Bryce Harper, Phillies
Michael: Bryce Harper, Phillies
Nate: Bryce Harper, Phillies
We helped out the top vote getter in the NL, as Harper is once again hitting like an MVP. He has also smoothly adjusted to playing a new position for the Philadelphia Phillies after surgery.
Second Base
Ben: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
Jesus: Luis Arraez, Padres
Joshua: Luis Arraez, Padres
Michael: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
Nate: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
Two teams hovering around the wild card race have two very different players at the keystone. Marte has 16 home runs while picking up the slack for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arraez has looked like his best self since an out-of-nowhere May trade to the San Diego Padres.
Third Base
Ben: Joey Ortiz, Brewers
Jesus: Alec Bohm, Phillies
Joshua: Alec Bohm, Phillies
Michael: Alec Bohm, Phillies
Nate: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
Some surprising performances lead to a little more disagreement here. Bohm taking two steps forward is part of why the Phillies have gone from good to great. Ortiz is hitting much better than anyone expected and making the Brewers look better for trading SP Corbin Burnes. Arenado got off to a terrible start but is still an eight-time all-star and is steadily improving as the months go along for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Shortstop
Ben: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Jesus: Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies
Joshua: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Michael: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Nate: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Just like Harper, Betts has not lost a step despite shifting to a new position, and a more demanding one at that. Across the division, Tovar is one of the few bright spots on the Colorado Rockies and the prettiest defender to watch around the league.
Outfield
Ben: Jurickson Profar (Padres), Christian Yelich (Brewers), Brandon Nimmo (Mets)
Jesus: Jurickson Profar (Padres), Christian Yelich (Brewers), Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers)
Joshua: Jurickson Profar (Padres), Christian Yelich (Brewers), Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers),
Michael: Jurickson Profar, (Padres), Christian Yelich (Brewers), Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers)
Nate: Bryan Reynolds (Pirates), Mike Yastrzemski (Giants), Nick Castellanos (Phillies)
With many stars injured, we have a wider range of votes here. Profar has come out of nowhere to hit like an all-star despite getting released in the middle of last season. Somewhat similarly, Hernandez is bouncing back now that he is out of T-Mobile Park. Yelich looks more like his old self instead of the low average hitter we have seen for a few years. Reynolds and Yaz are keeping the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants in the wild card race, while Castellanos is showing signs of life in 2024.
Designated Hitter
Ben: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Jesus: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Joshua: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Michael: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Nate: Marcell Ozuna, Braves
Despite a tumultuous offseason and not pitching this year, Ohtani is still the best hitter in baseball. Ozuna is making a run at him, though, with an OPS near 1.000 for the Atlanta Braves.
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