Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Dexter Fowler Continue to Lead NL All-Star Balloting
Major League Baseball released its fourth update Wednesday on the National League All-Star Balloting, and Anthony Rizzo remains the leading vote getter in the Senior Circuit.
The Cubs are closing in on becoming the second team in history to have its entire infield start an All-Star Game, joining the ’63 St. Louis Cardinals.
Anthony Rizzo (2,202,494) leads the National League in All-Star votes. Rizzo has a slight edge over teammates Kris Bryant (2,070,738), Ben Zobrist (2,057,122) and Dexter Fowler (2,003,115). Addison Russell (1,489,998) has received the fewest votes of the five Cubs and owns a slim lead at shortstop over the Rockies’ Trevor Story (1,110,002).
1B Anthony Rizzo (2,202,494), 2B Ben Zobrist (2,057,122), 3B Kris Bryant (2,070,738), SS Addison Russell (1,489,998), OF Dexter Fowler (2,003,115), OF Bryce Harper (1,824,808), OF Yoenis Cespedes (1,759,302) and C Yadier Molina (1,205,497) are the leading vote getters of the position players in the National League.
The left side of the Rockies’ infield is making a push to start the Midsummer Classic. SS Trevor Story is less than 400,000 votes behind Addison Russell. And 3B Nolan Arenado is just over 500,000 votes behind Kris Bryant. The closest race in the NL is between two backstops. Buster Posey (1,130,084) is less than 80,000 votes behind Yadier Molina (1,205,497).
Jason Heyward (1,271,107) and Jorge Soler (859,654) are still in the top six in voting among NL outfielders. And Miguel Montero (733,945) is fourth among National League catchers behind Molina, Posey and the Nationals’ Wilson Ramos.
Terry Collins is the National League manager this year and in the American League it will be Ned Yost of the World Series Champions, Kansas City Royals.
As it stands, the Cubs will have five position players starting for the National League in the All-Star Game. Dexter Fowler can still be an All-Star and take part in the festivities if his hamstring keeps him from playing. A case can be made for Jon Lester to be included on the pitching staff and both Jake Arrieta and Hector Rondon.
Online voting continues through Thursday, June 30 at 10:59pm CDT. Click on this link to send the deserving Cubs to the 2016 All-Star Game.
The 87th All-Star Game will be held in San Diego at PETCO Park on July 12.