2012 NL All-Star Voting: Ryan Braun Back In NL Outfield Spot

There are just a bit more than two days remaining in All-Star voting — it ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday — and a close NL outfield race now has a new man in third place, Ryan Braun. Braun had fallen out of the third spot last week, replaced by Melky Cabrera, but the 2011 NL MVP is now ahead of Cabrera by a close margin of 122,733 votes.

There haven’t been any other changes in the NL leaderboards, and if the current totals hold, seven of the 16 NL teams will be represented among the eight position-player starters (Dodgers, Cardinals, Mets, Giants, Brewers, Reds and Braves).

Here are the complete vote totals for all NL starting positions:

FIRST BASE
Joey Votto, Reds: 4,475,180
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 1,516,737
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 1,462,586
Brandon Belt, Giants: 1,291,982
Ryan Howard, Phillies: 873,526

SECOND BASE
Dan Uggla, Braves: 2,641,361
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 1,870,966
Jose Altuve, Astros: 1,479,652
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 1,202,051
Omar Infante, Marlins: 1,093,119

SHORTSTOP
Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 2,323,486
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 2,064,021
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 1,395,820
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 1,332,848
Brandon Crawford, Giants: 1,298,704

THIRD BASE
David Wright, Mets: 2,687,818
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 2,223,269
David Freese, Cardinals: 2,064,351
Chipper Jones, Braves: 1,958,447
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 1,236,757

CATCHER
Buster Posey, Giants: 3,335,982
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 3,119,530
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 2,448,942
Brian McCann, Braves: 1,860,130
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 1,216,744

OUTFIELD
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 4,118,524
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 3,717,483
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 3,168,617
Melky Cabrera, Giants: 3,045,884
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 1,948,973
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 1,880,342
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 1,685,543
Angel Pagan, Giants: 1,613,948
Hunter Pence, Phillies: 1,610,283
Michael Bourn, Braves: 1,553,285
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 1,506,613
Shane Victorino, Phillies: 1,365,023
Jason Heyward, Braves: 1,322,217
Jay Bruce, Reds: 1,195,031
Martin Prado, Braves: 1,142,946

2012 All-Star Voting: Josh Hamilton Nears Vote Record

Voting for the two MLB All-Star teams concludes soon, and the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton is getting close to a record for the most votes for anyone, ever. Hamilton now has 7,310,824 votes. The record was set last year by Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista, who had 7,454,753 votes. The voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday; it seems likely that Hamilton could surpass Bautista with three more days of balloting.

The only change in the leaderboard at any position this week is at second base, where the Yankees’ Robinson Cano (3,559,290 votes) took a narrow lead over the Rangers’ Ian Kinsler (3,462,367).

Here’s the complete leaderboards for all AL starting positions:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 2,825,532
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 2,261,388
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 1,863,873
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,711,659
Albert Pujols, Angels: 1,429,154

SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 3,559,290
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 3,462,367
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 1,666,282
Jason Kipnis, Indians: 852,325
Robert Andino, Orioles: 714,560

THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 3,073,541
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,692,047
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 1,748,534
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,688,509
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 968,068

SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 4,407,982
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 2,764,888
J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 1,331,927
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 1,063,137
Alcides Escobar, Royals: 880,111

CATCHER
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 3,008,228
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,772,228
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 1,623,459
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 1,416,594
Russell Martin, Yankees: 1,156,820

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 3,128,711
Michael Young, Rangers: 2,564,572
Adam Dunn, White Sox: 1,436,643
Raul Ibañez, Yankees: 1,429,894
Billy Butler, Royals: 1,105,870

OUTFIELD
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 7,310,824
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 3,812,339
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 2,773,442
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 2,681,019
Adam Jones, Orioles: 2,633,259
David Murphy, Rangers: 1,738,805
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,529,349
Austin Jackson, Tigers: 1,212,881
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 1,183,817
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,031,382
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,015,482
Alex Gordon, Royals: 901,595
Nick Markakis, Orioles: 888,183
B.J. Upton, Rays: 881,785
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 775,261

2012 All-Star Voting: Melky, Furcal Take Over

The San Francisco Giants haven't had a position player start the All-Star game since Barry Bonds in 2007, but everyone knew that was going to change when they acquired Melky Cabrera.

Wait ...

The current National League All-Star vote totals were released on Tuesday, and Cabrera overtook Ryan Braun for the third outfield slot, currently edging last year's MVP by around 25,000 votes. Braun is currently hitting .314/.391/.612 with a league-leading 19 home runs, so the results are something of a shock.

The other change since the last update is with the shortstops, where Rafael Furcal's hot start helped him vault over Troy Tulowitzki, who is still struggling with a groin injury.

The full results, by way of MLB.com:

1B
Joey Votto, Reds: 3,151,032
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 1,193,455
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 1,159,418
Brandon Belt, Giants: 907,739
Ryan Howard, Phillies: 677,368

2B
Dan Uggla, Braves: 2,054,920
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 1,272,389
Jose Altuve, Astros: 1,074,993
Omar Infante, Marlins: 901,970
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 814,263

3B
David Wright, Mets: 1,977,388
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,612,497
Chipper Jones, Braves: 1,547,221
David Freese, Cardinals: 1,540,085
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 912,648

SS
Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 1,741,360
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,647,235
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 1,006,333
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 983,520
Brandon Crawford, Giants: 935,216

C
Buster Posey, Giants: 2,445,005
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 2,291,567
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 1,756,018
Brian McCann, Braves: 1,471,797
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 768,317

OF
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 3,322,009
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 2,652,980
Melky Cabrera, Giants: 2,144,107
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 2,118,925
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 1,517,218
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 1,374,004
Hunter Pence, Phillies: 1,234,428
Michael Bourn, Braves: 1,201,215
Angel Pagan, Giants: 1,158,500
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 1,151,403
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 1,120,406
Jason Heyward, Braves: 1,049,769
Shane Victorino, Phillies: 1,039,970
Martin Prado, Braves: 893,995
Jay Bruce, Reds: 893,101

2012 MLB All-Star Voting: Four Rangers Lead Way

The American League voting results for the 2012 All-Star Game have been released, and there are a few changes. But the Rangers are still likely going to dominate the starting lineup if everything continues as it has been. The starters if the balloting were to end today:

C - Mike Napoli (TEX)
1B - Prince Fielder (DET)
2B - Ian Kinsler (TEX)
SS - Derek Jeter (NYY)
3B - Adrian Beltre (TEX)
OF - Josh Hamilton (TEX)
OF - Curtis Granderson (NYY)
OF - Jose Bautista (TOR)

Hamilton has the most votes of anyone on the ballot, and it isn't especially close -- his 5.4 million votes are almost double those of the next-closest outfielder (Granderson), and he has two million more votes than the next-closest player (Jeter).

The last time the voting totals were released, Bautista was in fourth place, behind Nelson Cruz. And the closest race is at second base, where Ian Kinsler leads Robinson Cano by just over 15,000 votes, so don't get too excited or fearful over a Rangers-dominated lineup just yet.

Full voting, from MLB.com:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,946,045
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 1,680,793
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 1,405,187
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,202,724
Albert Pujols, Angels: 1,047,722

SECOND BASE
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 2,580,306
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 2,565,046
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 1,331,657
Jason Kipnis, Indians: 615,409
Robert Andino, Orioles: 554,717

THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,251,304
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,869,727
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,442,308
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 1,312,968
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 651,403

SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,359,875
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 2,008,678
J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 968,963
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 789,069
Alcides Escobar, Royals: 584,547

CATCHER
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 2,239,047
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,283,804
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 1,242,247
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 1,048,603
Russell Martin, Yankees: 867,495

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 2,390,132
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,892,150
Raul Ibañez, Yankees: 1,080,421
Adam Dunn, White Sox: 979,447
Edwin Encarnación, Blue Jays: 830,341

OUTFIELD
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 5,414,880
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 2,818,535
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 1,996,940
Adam Jones, Orioles: 1,959,207
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,944,487
David Murphy, Rangers: 1,229,190
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,177,500
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 823,568
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 818,164
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 795,665
B.J. Upton, Rays: 753,581
Austin Jackson, Tigers: 741,877
Nick Markakis, Orioles: 696,720
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 631,899
Alex Gordon, Royals: 609,890

Matt Kemp, Joey Votto Lead N.L. All-Star Balloting

One day after the American League All-Star voting was updated, here are the latest figures for National League All-Star balloting, position-by-position:

First Base
Joey Votto, Reds: 2,108,725
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 851,373
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 828,759
Brandon Belt, Giants: 563,708
Bryan LaHair, Cubs: 514,809

With Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols no longer in the N.L., this one appears to be Votto’s by a landslide. LaHair, though currently fifth, might make the team as a reserve because there has to be at least one Cub.

Second Base
Dan Uggla, Braves: 1,341,088
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 885,250
Omar Infante, Marlins: 737,715
Jose Altuve, Astros: 700,640
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 642,184

This one’s a bit closer, but Uggla’s having a solid season and should get the nod.

Third Base
David Wright, Mets: 1,358,992
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,103,650
David Freese, Cardinals: 1,095,206
Chipper Jones, Braves: 1,054,586
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 635,782

It’s the same deal at third base; Wright’s having a good year, plus Sandoval has spent considerable time on the disabled list. Jones is likely to get a reserve nod as he’s retiring at the end of the season.

Shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,200,256
Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 1,183,096
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 738,771
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 684,754
Jose Reyes, Marlins: 662,199

This is the closest race of any N.L. vote; Tulowitzki remains on the DL and Furcal could overtake him in a fairly weak field.

Catcher
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,713,839
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 1,576,199
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 1,191,194
Brian McCann, Braves: 1,012,743
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 588,710

Posey’s return from that gruesome injury last year to being productive is one of the best stories of 2012.

Outfield
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 2,589,464
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 1,782,831
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 1,553,356
Melky Cabrera, Giants: 1,357,461
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 1,142,312
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 951,652

Kemp was off to a monster start and the possibility of an even better year than he had in 2011, but now he’s missed quite a bit of time with two DL stints due to a hamstring injury. It’s anyone’s guess on when he’ll return or whether he’d be able to play in the All-Star Game; he’s got a lead of over one million votes over Cabrera in fourth place, so he’ll almost certainly be elected.

Josh Hamilton Dominates A.L. All-Star Balloting

Major League Baseball has released the latest American League All-Star voting, presented here for your enjoyment ...

First Base
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,421,786
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 1,147,089
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 991,075
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 852,091
Albert Pujols, Angels: 707,779

This one's probably in the bag, already. What's most surprising is Albert Pujols's relatively weak showing. Certainly, his performance doesn't merit a higher spot but the fans often pay little attention to performance.

Second Base
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,920,364
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 1,732,359
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 1,037,522
Robert Andino, Orioles: 402,083
Jason Kipnis, Indians: 357,651

Based on the results at first base and second base -- along with every position -- we may assume the Rangers are a) drawing a lot of fans this season, and b) doing a great job of getting the vote out. Shoot, if we're not careful it'll be an All-Rangers lineup. Which would make for a pretty good team, but probably not the best of all possible teams.

Third Base
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 1,634,057
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,313,063
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,061,901
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 927,163
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 548,936

Shortstop
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 2,419,508
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,448,544
J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 663,042
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 514,741
Alcides Escobar, Royals: 493,947

Of course, Jeter's actually enjoying a fantastic season. Nothing wrong with one last All-Star Game.

Catcher
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 1,640,160
Joe Mauer, Twins: 912,997
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 904,425
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 733,282
Russell Martin, Yankees: 602,983

Another position, another Texas Rangers. Matt Wieters has been the league's best catcher this season.

Designated Hitter
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 1,758,369
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,396,802
Raul Ibañez, Yankees: 752,884
Adam Dunn, White Sox: 645,213
Billy Butler, Royals: 617,368

Outfielders
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,833,504
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 2,033,239
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,398,534
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 1,357,784
Adam Jones, Orioles: 1,318,091
David Murphy, Rangers: 884,522

Hamilton's exactly where he belongs, and Granderson's having a great year too. Looks like a great battle for that third outfield spot, though.

2012 All-Star Voting: Rangers Dominate Early Returns

The Texas Rangers have five players leading their positions in the voting for the 2012 All-Star Game.