Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball announced the results of Phase One of the All-Star voting process on June 27, and there are plenty of Dodgers making it to the final round of fan voting. In all, five Dodger position players have made it into the last phase of fan voting, which starts Monday and continues for four days.
No Seager or Smith this year
Unfortunately, Corey Seager and Will Smith, who had been among the leaders in the first round totals announced earlier this month did not make the cut. Seager makes sense in that he’s been injured and might not have been able to play anyway. A little bummed about Smith, but the three players who were chosen to move on — Buster Posey, Yadier Molina, and Willson Contreras all sort of make sense for one reason or another. This one is probably going to go to Posey in a walk, since he’s having a great bounce-back year in San Francisco.
Lux and Betts are long shots
However, all the other Dodgers who had been on the list moved on to the next round. Of the five that remain, Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux probably won’t be in Colorado next month. Lux is simply not ready for an All-Star game, and Betts is playing so far below what we’re used to seeing from him that he would be the first to tell you that he doesn’t deserve it this season.
Vote Turner, Vote Taylor, Vote Muncy
That leaves three guys who I would like to see on the field in one way or another at the Midsummer Classic this year. Justin Turner at third base, Chris Taylor in the outfield, and Max Muncy at first. Muncy was leading fan voting the last time I checked, so I think he can probably count on being voted in by the fans. Taylor and Turner both deserve serious consideration, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they both finish out of the money when the votes are tallied later this week. In addition, pitchers will be added after the fan voting is complete, and there is sure to be a Dodger or two among them this year as well.
Voting resumes Monday morning
Phase 2 will last for four days, beginning at noon ET on Monday and concluding on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. At 9 p.m. ET on Thursday night, the starting teams will be announced during the 2021 Google MLB All-Star Starters Reveal on ESPN.
Fans can cast their votes exclusively online at mlb.com/vote, via mobile devices at MLB.com, all 30 club websites, the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps and on Google Search in the U.S. and Canada by searching “MLB All-Star vote” or “Vote” along with a player’s name. (Fan voting determines the starters at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, catcher and the three outfield spots in each league, plus the designated hitter spot in the AL. Pitchers and reserves for both teams will be determined through a combination of Player Ballot choices and selections made by the Commissioner’s Office.)
