Orioles Miss MLB All-Star Phase 2 Despite 572,287 Votes for Rutschman

Q: With superstars Judge and Trout injured, who will emerge as the new face of the American League All-Star team?

Ernie Clement has emerged as the new face of the American League All-Star team. The clearest evidence is the fan vote. Clement led all AL players in Phase 1 with 3,232,932 votes, earning an automatic starting spot at second base and surpassing bigger-established names across the league. With Aaron Judge unlikely to return before the break because of a rib stress fracture and Mike Trout sidelined by a hamstring strain, Clement’s rise gives the AL a fresh centerpiece. His case is not just about popularity. Clement has been one of Toronto’s most productive hitters, batting around .300, leading the Blue Jays in hits, doubles and several key rate categories, while building momentum from a record-setting 2025 postseason in which he hit .411 with 30 hits. That combination of performance and fan support explains why he has become the most visible new AL star for this event. If there is another player positioned to share that spotlight, it is Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals shortstop has put together a superstar-caliber season, leading the AL in bWAR, combining power, speed and elite defense, and looking like the likely starting shortstop. Yordan Alvarez is also a major contender for marquee status, with Triple Crown-level production and the second-highest AL vote total behind Clement. Still, based on the current All-Star voting and the injuries to Judge and Trout, Clement is the strongest answer, with Witt and Alvarez the other leading faces likely to define the AL roster in Philadelphia.

3 articles · Updated · MASNsports.com · Jun 25

No Orioles player advanced from Phase 1 of MLB All-Star voting, leaving Baltimore shut out of the finalist round that opens Monday.
Adley Rutschman came closest at catcher with 572,287 votes, finishing fourth; Pete Alonso ranked fifth at first base with 563,527, while Gunnar Henderson placed sixth among shortstops.
Taylor Ward fell to 19th among outfielders with 348,989 votes, and Samuel Basallo and Jeremiah Jackson also finished outside contention despite drawing more than 200,000 votes each.
Toronto dominated the American League ballot with a finalist at every position, and Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement claimed a starting spot outright with 3,232,932 votes.
The remaining starters will be decided in Phase 2 before full rosters are unveiled in early July for the July 14 All-Star Game in Philadelphia.