2014 MLB All Star Game: Mike Trout leads way in first update of American League voting totals

Starting lineups for this summer’s All Star Game won’t be finalized until July 3rd, but Major League Baseball has released their first update on the voting totals for the American League and there are a number of familiar faces leading the charge. Mike Trout, outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, is currently the leading vote-getter across all positions with 764,007 votes – nearly 90,000 more than his next closest competitor.

Trout was the runner up for the AL MVP Award in each of the past two seasons and is off to yet another solid start to the 2014 season even with some of his numbers appearing to be down slightly from a year ago. He’s batting .279/.368/.537 on the year so far, but does lead the AL in strikeouts with 58.

Trout figures to be joined in the AL’s starting outfield by Toronto’s Jose Bautista and New York’s Jacoby Ellsbury, who are second and third in voting, respectively. Bautista has a comfortable lead over Ellsbury, who is being chased closely by his teammate Carlos Beltran and Bautista’s teammate Melky Cabrera. The latter three are separated by only 50,000 votes.

Derek Jeter is the only other player in the American League who has topped the 600,000 vote mark, comfortably leading the way at shortstop in what is going to be his final season in the Major Leagues. No longer the top offensive choice at the position, it’s hardly a surprise to see Jeter’s name atop of voting as fans everywhere want to see one of the game’s greatest start in the All Star Game one final time.

The Yankees and Tigers are the only teams with more than one projected starter at the moment. Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler lead the way at their respective positions. Cabrera’s lead is far stronger than Kinsler’s at the moment, as second base has turned into one of the closest races across the league. Kinsler stands just about 6,000 votes ahead of Seattle’s Robinson Cano, with Boston’s Dustin Pedroia just another 7,000 votes behind him. The trio will likely continued to work for positioning in the coming weeks and each could be a justifiable starting choice.

Baltimore’s Matt Wieters leads the way behind the plate, despite being on the disabled list with his status for the rest of the season uncertain. He would hardly be the first player elected who was unable to play due to injury should the current status quo continue.

Josh Donaldson from the A’s leads at third base, some 57,000 votes ahead of Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria.

Finally, David Ortiz is the leading vote-getter at designated hitter. Nelson Cruz is not far behind as he enjoys a solid start to his season following a frustrating end to 2013.

The All Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 15th from Minnesota’s Target Field. Final 34 man rosters will be revealed during the weekend of July 5-6.