The MLB All-Star Game is much more than a popularity contest.
While it’s true that fans often vote for the most popular players even if they aren’t always having an All-Star-caliber season, they are also very good at spotting real game-changing talent when they see it.
In this case, they have made an Atlanta Braves star the leading vote-getter for the Midsummer Classic as of Tuesday afternoon.
Yes, that’s right: Ronald Acuna Jr. has been so good that he has even more votes than Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani.
Números y más números. ¡ELLOS NO LE BAJAN! ? ?️ pic.twitter.com/k79ghfJkBM
— LasMayores (@LasMayores) June 20, 2023
Acuna has accumulated just over 2,200,000 votes so far, more than 300,000 more than Ohtani, who has 1,885,144.
That has to be one of the most shocking developments of the 2023 season, especially since Ohtani is also having one of the finest campaigns of his career.
However, the Braves being in first place and having so many fans have probably played a role in Acuna leading the race.
Of course, it also helps that he is having the best season of his career so far.
As of Tuesday, the dynamic outfielder is hitting .325/.403/.561 with 15 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 63 runs scored.
Many players would dream about finishing a full season with those numbers.
Well, Acuna has done all that in just 72 games.
72!
He seems destined to win his first NL MVP award and has a great chance to finish as MLB’s leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
He has quite a cushion now.
It has been a phenomenal campaign for the Venezuelan outfielder and his Braves, who comfortably lead the NL East division.
NEXT: Stat Shows How The Braves Have Been Mashing The Ball This Season
