MLB initial vote leaders for the 2022 All-Star Game are now of public domain.
Some of the game’s brightest stars are leading their positions in the American League: Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and George Springer, for example, are the three leading outfielders; while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is pacing first base and Rafael Devers is doing the same at the hot corner.
There is one notable absence, though: Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.
“Initial All-Star vote leaders include Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Mike Trout – but not Shohei Ohtani. The AL leader at DH: Yordan Alvarez,” Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times tweeted.
Initial All-Star vote leaders include Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Mike Trout – but not Shohei Ohtani. The AL leader at DH: Yordan Alvarez.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 21, 2022
Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros has gotten more votes than our favorite two-way phenom.
But you know what?
Alvarez deserves to go to the All-Star game in Los Angeles, because he has been perhaps the most consistently dominant DH in both leagues.
Alvarez Has Been The Better Hitter, But Ohtani Will Be An All-Star Anyway
Alvarez is hitting .311/.403/.623 with 18 homers and 47 RBI, whereas Ohtani is slashing .252/.328/.461 with 13 round-trippers and 37 RBI.
Yes, we also need to include Ohtani’s contributions as a starting player and there is arguably no one more valuable than him in MLB.
From the mound, he has a 3.28 ERA in 60.1 innings.
It’s precisely because of the combination between his offensive prowess and his mound work that he will make the All-Star team anyway.
Fans will vote the starters in, but the managers will also hold some selections, together with the Commissioner’s Office.
And, in the event of a disaster, there is also the Final Vote.
Don’t worry about Ohtani’s presence in the All-Star Game: he will be there.
It’s also in Los Angeles, where he currently plays, so the league will make sure to squeeze him in.
He is entirely deserving, too.
NEXT: Mike Trout Had A Series To Remember In Seattle