Major League Baseball has its first two All-Star Game starters, announcing that Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be an All-Star for the sixth time as the top vote-getter in the National League, and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement earned his first All-Star nomination as the American League’s highest-voted player.Ohtani’s early inclusion comes as no surprise, as he’s a Cy Young Award contender and leads the NL in on-base percentage and OPS+. Clement became a household name less than a year ago when he set a record with 30 postseason hits — including 12 in a classic seven-game World Series against Ohtani’s Dodgers.The system Shohei Ohtani used to achieve career goals Elise DevlinClement, who was waived and released before joining the Blue Jays three years ago, and wasn’t even on the All-Star ballot last summer, is batting .292 with a 102 OPS+. He is tied for the American League lead in doubles with 20, however.
To earn a spot in next month’s Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Ohtani and Clement eclipsed over 3 million votes, per MLB.
Clement: 3,232,932 votes
Ohtani: 3,341,257 votes
It is Ohtani’s second straight season leading the NL in votes. Yet, despite leading the NL in votes, Ohtani is guaranteed only a starting spot at designated hitter. With a 1.58 ERA over 13 games and 79 2/3 innings, he does appear to be a strong candidate to get the start on the mound.With two starters announced, one in each league, here’s what the finalists look like ahead of Phase 2 opening up at noon ET Monday.American LeagueCatcher: Shea Langeliers (Athletics), Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays)First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Ben Rice (Yankees)Third base: Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), Junior Caminero (Rays)Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Andrés Giménez (Blue Jays)Outfield: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Mike Trout (Angels), Byron Buxton (Twins), Cody Bellinger (Yankees), Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays), Jesús Sánchez (Blue Jays)Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez (Astros), George Springer (Blue Jays)National LeagueCatcher: Drake Baldwin (Braves), Will Smith (Dodgers)First base: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Matt Olson (Braves)Second base: Bryson Stott (Phillies), Ozzie Albies (Braves)Third base: Max Muncy (Dodgers), Alec Bohm (Phillies)Shortstop: CJ Abrams (Nationals), Mookie Betts (Dodgers)Outfield: Andy Pages (Dodgers), Brandon Marsh (Phillies), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers), Juan Soto (Mets), Michael Harris II (Braves)Phase 2 winners will be announced July 4, as will pitchers and reserve players.Jun 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
