The Braves’ winning ways have reinvigorated fan enthusiasm for the All-Star Game, if the first update is any indication.
Three Braves were among the leading vote-getters for the National League. First baseman Freddie Freeman has received the most votes in the NL.
Alongside Freeman, Ozzie Albies leads the second baseman balloting. Nick Markakis is second among outfielders, meaning he’d also secure a starting spot.
Freeman’s 633,342 votes comfortably lead second-place Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs (248,275). The Giants’ Brandon Belt, the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger and the Reds’ Joey Votto round out the top five first baseman.
The Braves’ star first baseman, who patiently endured the rebuilding years, has hit .340 with 12 homers, 45 RBIs and a .998 OPS.
Albies’ 398,816 votes leads Javy Baez (360,307)of the Cubs by over 38,000 votes. Scooter Gennett (Cincinnati), Asdrubal Cabrera (Mets) and Joe Panik (San Francisco) round out the second base voting.
The 21-year-old received his first taste of the big leagues last August, and despite dropping off recently, has made a leap in his first full-season. Albies already has 15 homers, beyond expectations for a player Freeman once called a strong petite man.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson is second at his position, trailing San Francisco’s Brandon Crawford, 466,021 to 225,182. Johan Camargo polled No. 3 among third baseman, sizably trailing stars Nolan Arenado (Colorado) and Kris Bryant (Cubs).
Swanson’s hot start was halted by a wrist injury, and it’s unclear how much that’s affected his performance of late. He’s hitting .266 with a .322 OBP with reliable defense.
Kurt Suzuki is third for catchers, trailing the Giants’ Buster Posey and the Cubs’ Willson Contreras. Suzuki has continued the offensive success he discovered a year ago, hitting .273 with seven homers and 24 RBIs while splitting time with Tyler Flowers.
Ronald Acuna, who debuted in late April and has been on disabled list since May 28, is fifth in outfielder voting, while center fielder Ender Inciarte is sixth.
Inciarte has hit .240 and leads the league with 18 steals, one off the major league lead.
Acuna has played 29 games, hitting .265 with a .779 OPS. He’s hit five homers and has 13 RBIs.
Bryce Harper (Washington) and Markakis are the two leading outfielders. Former Brave Matt Kemp, who’s rejuvenated his career back in Los Angeles, is third.
For the 34-year-old Markakis, starting the All-Star Game would be a career-first. He hasn’t made the Midsummer Classic in his 13-year journey.
Braves manager Brian Snitker has voiced his support for Markakis, whom teammates love and consider a leader in the clubhouse.
The veteran has hit .327 with an .881 OPS. His eight homers are equal to last year’s production, and his 43 RBIs are second on the team.
MLB will provide another update in a week. Its third update will come June 25. The All-Star Game is July 17 in Washington.
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