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Early MLB AL All-Star votes in, Mike Trout leads

By Matt Fisher

Jul 31, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; 2014 MLB All Star Game logo on the wall behind home plate prior to the game between the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; 2014 MLB All Star Game logo on the wall behind home plate prior to the game between the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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We’re only two months into the season and All-Star voting has already been underway for a couple of weeks now. Fans get to choose the position player starters for the MLB All-Star game via voting online or in stadiums. The reserves and pitchers are chosen by the managers of each team. The managers are the managers of the World Series from the previous season. For 2014, the American League team will be managed by John Farrell of the Boston Red Sox. The National League team will be managed by St. Louis Cardinals’ skipper Mike Matheny.

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On Tuesday afternoon, the MLB Public Relations department released the top vote-getters for the American League team so far. If the All-Star game voting ended today, the following would be your American League position players.

PlayerPositionTeam
Miguel Cabrera1BDetroit Tigers
Ian Kinsler2BDetroit Tigers
Derek JeterSSNew York Yankees
Josh Donaldson3BOakland Athletics
Mike TroutOFLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Jose BautistaOFToronto Blue Jays
Jacoby EllsburyOFNew York Yankees
Matt WietersCBaltimore Orioles
David OrtizDHBoston Red Sox

Least surprising among top-voted players that are not retiring is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Trout is once against putting up stellar numbers and continues to be a human dynamo on the field. Coming off of a record arbitration deal, Trout is poised to not just be in the starting lineup for the American League All-Stars, but to be the face of the game of baseball as it moves forward.

May 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) stands in the on deck circle during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) stands in the on deck circle during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Perhaps the most obvious choice is Derek Jeter at shortstop. With this being Jeter’s last season, it’s hard to argue that The Captain should NOT have a spot on an All-Star lineup. One of the bigger surprises is Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson leading the vote among players at the hot corner. He is about 60,000 votes ahead of Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, but Donaldson has undoubtedly had the better season. Coupled with his performance for the Athletics over the last year, he may end up being the starting third baseman for this year’s All-Star team.

Also of note is that none of the hometown Minnesota Twins appears to be close to being named a starter. The name that stands out most as being left off? First baseman and face of the Twins, Joe Mauer, who is a six-time All-Star, but played the previous six times as the Twins catcher.

Curious as to how the rest of the balloting looks so far? The results are below.

The 2014 MLB All-Star Game will be held from Target Field in Minnesota on Tuesday, July 15th at 8:00 EST.

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