Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers had Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez among the National League players to advance as 2023 MLB All-Star Game finalists and into Phase 2 of voting, which begins Monday at 9 a.m. PT.
The quartet of Dodgers placed among the top two at their respective positions during the first phase of voting. All but Smith are on track to be 2023 MLB All-Star Game starters as well.
Betts placed second among NL outfielders and third in the league with 1,904,387 votes. The All-Star Game selection would be the seventh of his career (fourth start) and third with the Dodgers. However, Betts withdrew from the 2021 Midsummer Classic due to a nagging hip injury that didn’t fully heal until that offseason.
Betts went on to represent the Dodgers in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, along with Tyler Anderson, Freeman, Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw and Trea Turner.
Now a virtual lock to make the 93rd Midsummer Classic, Betts has indicated he will participate in the Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park as well.
Freeman is second among all NL players with 2,254,741 votes. He sits well ahead of the Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson (994,545 votes) to become the first Dodgers first baseman voted as an All-Star Game starter since Steve Garvey had the honor seven consecutive years in a row from 1974-1980.
Martinez leads for the NL designated hitter spot with 1,153,927 votes. He remained ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper at both updates and with the All-Star Game finalists announcement.
The reverse has held true for Smith, whose 1,139,905 votes is well behind the Braves’ Sean Murphy (1,930,694).
Elsewhere on the ballot, Miguel Vargas (fourth place), Max Muncy (third), Chris Taylor (sixth), James Outman (12th) and Jason Heyward (14th) fell short in fan voting.
2023 MLB All-Star Game finalists
National League
Catcher
Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves
Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
First base
Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
Second base
Luis Arraez, Miami Marlins
Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
Third base
Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals
Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
Shortstop
Orlando Arcia, Atlanta Braves
Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
Outfield
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks
Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
Designated hitter
J.D. Martinez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
American League
Catcher
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
Jonah Heim, Texas Rangers
First base
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays
Second base
Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers
Whit Merrifield, Toronto Blue Jays
Third base
Josh Jung, Texas Rangers
Matt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays
Shortstop
Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
Outfield
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
Kevin Kiermaier, Toronto Blue Jays
Adolis García, Texas Rangers
2023 All-Star Game starters
The Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. (3,082,600) and Los Angeles Angels two-way extraordinaire Shohei Ohtani (2,646,307) are cemented as All-Star Game starters by virtue of leading their respective leagues in fan voting.
Phase 2 of All-Star Game voting runs from June 26 through Thursday, June 29, at 9 a.m. PT. Complete All-Star Game starters will be unveiled on ESPN later that night.
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