BASEBALL: Shohei Ohtani, Ernie Clement named All-Star starters as top vote-getters

Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement finished Phase 1 of Major League Baseball All-Star fan voting atop their respective leagues, securing automatic starting spots for the 2026 Midsummer Classic.

Ohtani will start at designated hitter for the National League team after leading all players with 3,341,257 votes in the opening phase. It marks the first time he has topped overall fan voting. He will again represent the Dodgers as one of the biggest draws in baseball heading into the All-Star Game.

Clement emerged as a surprise leader in the American League with 3,232,932 votes, earning the starting second base role for the AL squad in the All-Star Game set for July 14 in Philadelphia.

MLB released the Phase 1 results on Thursday, confirming that the top two vote-getters at each position in both leagues advance to Phase 2 of voting. The exception applies to National League designated hitters and American League second basemen, who have already been decided. For outfielders, six finalists per league advance, with the top three ultimately selected as starters.

Phase 2 voting will run from June 29 through July 2, with All-Star starters and reserves announced on the night of July 4 on Fox.

Ohtani, 31, will make his sixth consecutive All-Star appearance. The four-time MVP continues to deliver a standout two-way season, batting .295 with a .963 OPS through 73 games, along with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs. On the mound, he has gone 8–2 with a 1.58 ERA, a figure that would represent a career best by a wide margin.

Clement, 30, is set for his first All-Star selection. He is batting .292 with seven home runs, an American League-leading 20 doubles, and 28 RBIs over 77 games. He also gained national attention last postseason, batting .411 across 18 playoff games as the Blue Jays made a run to the World Series before falling to the Dodgers.

Toronto has finalists represented at every position group in Phase 2, including two outfielders: Daulton Varsho and Jesus Sanchez.

American League Finalists

Catcher: Shea Langeliers (AthleticsOakland Athletics), Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays)

First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Ben Rice (New York YankeesNew York Yankees)

Third base: Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay Rays)

Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals), Andres Gimenez (Blue Jays)

Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez (Houston AstrosHouston Astros), George Springer (Blue Jays)

Outfield: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Mike Trout (Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles Angels), Byron Buxton (Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins), Cody Bellinger (Yankees), Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays), Jesus Sanchez (Blue Jays)

National League Finalists

Catcher: Drake Baldwin (Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves), Will Smith (Dodgers)

First base: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Matt Olson (Braves)

Second base: Ozzie Albies (Braves), Bryson Stott (Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies)

Third base: Max Muncy (Dodgers), Alec Bohm (Phillies)

Shortstop: CJ Abrams (Washington NationalsWashington Nationals), Mookie Betts (Dodgers)

Outfield: Andy Pages (Dodgers), Brandon Marsh (Phillies), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers), Juan Soto (New York MetsNew York Mets), Michael Harris II (Braves)

The voting race now shifts into its decisive Phase 2, where final All-Star starters will be determined ahead of baseball’s midsummer showcase in Philadelphia. -Field Level Media/Reuters