The past week of Yankees baseball hasn’t been particularly enjoyable, but Aaron Judge and Juan Soto continue to post remarkable numbers. Judge has fully bounced back from a quiet April and now leads all MLB hitters with 28 homers and a 206 wRC+. Right behind him in wRC+ is Shohei Ohtani at 188, followed closely by Soto, who is batting .305/.431/.563 with 18 homers, a 183 wRC+, and a league-high 63 walks.
Judge and Soto led MLB in Phase 1 All-Star voting during the first update, and they still do in the second check-in. Judge is on track to automatically make the All-Star Game roster as the leader in the American League (and MLB) with over 2.3 million votes. Only Soto and National League leader Bryce Harper have also surpassed the two-million vote mark. Currently, Harper would secure a direct spot in the Midsummer Classic, while Soto would need to fend off other outfielders in Phase 2—though he is clearly leading that group as well.
Here’s the current AL outfielder voting:
1. Aaron Judge (Yankees): 2,375,199
2. Juan Soto (Yankees): 2,136,383
3. Kyle Tucker (Astros): 1,002,803
4. Steven Kwan (Guardians): 973,401
5. Anthony Santander (Orioles): 808,100
6. Colton Cowser (Orioles): 649,710
7. Alex Verdugo (Yankees): 512,766
8. Cedric Mullins (Orioles): 512,352
9. Mike Trout (Angels): 439,855
10. Adolis García (Rangers): 417,712
In the last update, Verdugo was on pace to advance to Phase 2 as one of the top six vote-getters. However, Baltimore’s Cowser has now surpassed him by a significant margin. Verdugo’s recent 2-for-27 slump hasn’t helped, and Cowser has a solid case on his own. Thus, the dream of a Yankees starting outfield in the All-Star Game is likely over.
Giancarlo Stanton’s hamstring injury will probably end his All-Star bid as well. He’s currently second among AL designated hitters behind Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, but Cleveland’s David Fry is close to overtaking him. Stanton, now on the IL, isn’t likely to gain many more votes. Expect Fry (and/or Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn) to pass him and advance to Phase 2.
AL designated hitter voting:
1. Yordan Alvarez (Astros): 963,519
2. Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees): 717,023
3. David Fry (Guardians): 706,262
4. Ryan O’Hearn (Orioles): 687,374
5. Josh Jung (Rangers): 364,366
Anthony Volpe and Jose Trevino are in third place among AL shortstops and catchers but are far behind second place and will not advance. Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson and Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. (1,551,124 and 987,689) are ahead of Volpe (537,398), while Adley Rutschman and Salvador Perez (1,638,425 and 1,033,099) lead Trevino (388,072).
Anthony Rizzo and Oswaldo Cabrera are also far behind in fourth place among first and third basemen. Gleyber Torres ranks seventh at second base. Currently, Ryan Mountcastle and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would advance at first, Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien at second, and José Ramírez and Jordan Westburg at third.
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