There’s a good chance you’ll see plenty of Boston Red Sox players at this year’s All-Star Game, and a few of them could be playing prominent roles.
Major League Baseball released its second All-Star Game voting update Tuesday for its 2016 showcase in San Diego, and Jackie Bradley Jr. jumped from fourth to third among American League outfielders, meaning he’d earn a starting spot if voting ended Tuesday.
Bradley overtook Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo, who ranked third in the American League’s first update behind Lorenzo Cain and leader Mike Trout. Bradley’s jump is well-deserved, as the 26-year-old outfielder is fresh off a 29-game hitting streak and leads all AL outfielders in batting average (.323) and OPS (.982) as of Tuesday.
There’s still a while to go before All-Star voting closes, but if Bradley can earn a starting spot for the July 12 Midsummer Classic, he’ll likely have some company: Xander Bogaerts still holds a comfortable lead among AL shortstops, and David Ortiz is running away with the designated hitter vote.
Bradley might even face competition from his own teammate. Mookie Betts vaulted to No. 6 in the latest update thanks in part to his five-home run outburst against the Baltimore Orioles. Boston has at least one All-Star candidate at every position, as Hanley Ramirez (first base), Dustin Pedroia (second base), Travis Shaw (third base) and Blake Swihart (catcher) all are among the top five vote-getters at their positions.
Voting will be open until Thursday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET, and fans can vote at redsox.com/vote.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Sousa/USA TODAY Sports Images
