Blue Jays Dominate All-Star Voting - Kirk, Guerrero Shoo-Ins -

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A Toronto Blue Jays 2022 All-Star Game souvenir might not be worth quite as much as that of one from 2021 or 2020. The reason being is that the 2022 American League roster is expected to be chock-full of Blue Jays starters, thanks to incredible turnout from fans at the online voting poll stations.

Major League Baseball unveiled its Phase I vote leaders earlier this week, and to no surprise, some of the league’s very best players found themselves atop the polls.

Exhibit-A is Blue Jays’ back-catcher Alejandro Kirk. His 1,057,008 votes are more than double the next American League catcher, New York’s Jose Trevino (387.983 votes). He actually owns 35 percent of the total voter turnout at his position, which is the largest number at any position, American and National League.

Toronto have a player within the top-three vote getters at every single fielding position on the ballet other than designated hitter.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (947,045) holds a sizeable lead at first base over Seattle’s Ty France (596,030). Bo Bichette is just over 50K votes up on Chicago’s Tim Anderson for the starting shortstop all-star position. George Springer is currently the third-highest voted outfielder, trailing juggernauts Aaron Judge and Mike Trout.

Judge’s 1,512,372 votes are an MLB high across the board.

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Other Blue Jays players fighting for contention include Santiago Espinal (second place in second base rankings), Matt Chapman (third place in third base rankings), Lourdes Gurriel and Teoscar Hernandez (seventh and eighth place in outfield rankings).

For Kirk, Guerrero, Bichette and Springer, the accolades have come much deservedly.

Kirk, especially, has torn up opposing pitchers in what has been breakout months of May and June this spring.

“It’s very emotional; the first thing I did was send a message to my family. I was feeling very, very happy,” Kirk said upon learning of his heavy lead. “They were very emotional and told me they were very proud of me for all the work I put in for this. It would be a dream come true to be in an all-star game. We started kind of slow this season, so I didn’t think about it, but all the work I was putting in, things were getting better, (I was) getting good results and it felt great.”

According to the 23-year-old, he received calls from his brothers, girlfriend and parents nearly simultaneously in a congratulatory manner. But he also felt the honour was deserved as he has demonstrated strong contact and an incredible eye for the plate – both as a hitter and a catcher.

“From the first time I got called up, I felt like I was a big-leaguer,” he added. “It’s very hard and very difficult to stay up here, but I feel very proud of all the hard work I’ve been putting in to be here.”

His manager Charlie Montoyo has seen it all unfold beneath his watchful eyes.

“I feel like a dad, proud. I was one of the ones pushing for him and he deserves all the votes,” Montoyo said of his likely all-star catcher. “He’s doing a great job behind the plate, he’s swinging the bat great, and if you look at everybody’s numbers he’s up there. Good for him. I’m really happy for him and I hope it happens.”

Kirk leads all catchers with a .307 average and .397 on-base percentage. While his 2.6 WAR is second to only Chicago’s Willson Contreras. He is tied with Contreras for first with 58 hits.

Guerrero – also 23 – is currently batting .265 with 17 home runs and 41 RBIs through 66 games. He is first on the Jays with 32 walks and second with 65 hits.

Bichette – one year Vladdy and Kirk’s senior – was a part of the 2021 American League All-Star Team. He is batting .259 this season with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs.

The veteran Springer is looking to make his fourth All-Star Game appearance in 2022. He is batting a very similar .263 this season and has 13 home runs and 34 RBIs to his name in just 62 games played.

Voting is at its midway point and fans are encouraged to continue voting either on the Blue Jays’ website or directly at MLB.com. Daily voting ends on June 30 at 2:00 PM EDT, to which the top vote getter in each league will earn the starting job at their position. Then, the top two players at each position, including six outfielders, will move on to a final ballot to determine All-Star starters.

The final phase of voting begins on Tuesday, July 5. Fans are able to vote five times daily. Starters will be unveiled on July 8, while the rest of the rosters will be made public on July 10.

This year’s All-Star Game will be held on July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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