2014 MLB All Star Game: trio of Colorado Rockies atop first update to National League voting totals
By Aaron Somers
With the first update on voting totals for the National League being released by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, a trio of Colorado Rockies find themselves figuring prominently at their respective positions for this summer’s event. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki stands atop the league at all positions, having received 745,823 votes so far. He’s enjoying a near 100,000 vote lead over the next closest challenger, Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.
American League results had been unveiled on Tuesday.
Tulowitzki has enjoyed a resurgent year for the Rockies thus far, leading the National League in nearly ever major offensive category. Through 51 games he’s batting .369/.471/.702 with 45 runs scored and 14 home runs. The next closest competitor at shortstop – Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants – is more than 500,000 votes behind.
Joining Tulo atop their respective positions are third baseman Nolan Arenado and outfielder Charlie Blackmon. Arenado was off to a strong start at the plate before a broken finger forced him to the disabled list. His lead is narrow in what appears to be a strong third base class in the league, as Milwaukee’s Aramis Ramirez and New York’s David Wright are not far behind him.
Blackmon is the surprise, however. Never figuring prominently into the starting lineup before this season, Blackmon’s had a breakout year so far and leads all outfielders in the NL. His 549,394 votes are the third highest total in the league. There is a closely assembled group on his tail with Andrew McCutchen, Ryan Braun, and Giancarlo Stanton all within 40,000 votes of one another.
Rounding out the infield, Los Angeles’ Adrian Gonzalez leads the charge at first base. He stands just over 40,000 votes ahead of Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman and yet another Rockie, Justin Morneau. Chase Utley stands atop the list at second base, enjoying a strong bounce back season himself for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Molina has a near 220,000 vote lead behind the plate over Buster Posey. Considered the top defensive catcher in all of baseball and with a rabid fan base behind him it’s hardly a surprise to see him with such a high total this early.
The All Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 15th from Minnesota’s Target Field. Final 34 man rosters will be unveiled during the weekend of July 5-6. Voting is open through July 3rd.