MLB Releases First Full All-Star Game Ballot Update

With the voting format changed in an attempt to end the practice of fans of one particular team stuffing the ballot boxes, the 2019 MLB All-Star Game looks more likely to feature nothing but the best statistical performers of the first half of the season.

The first ballot update shows all the usual suspects in place to start, with Mike Trout leading the American League against Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich and the National League.

No team is more well represented than the Houston Astros, who have three starters in the form of third baseman Alex Bregman as well as outfielders Michael Brantley and George Springer. The Cubs and Yankees have two starters each. Javier Baez and Willson Contreras are starting for the NL, while Gary Sanchez and DJ LeMahieu are starting for the AL.

Some of the projected starters would have had you laughed out of the room if you mentioned them as potential All-Stars in 2019. Who would have thought Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and Rangers DH Hunter Pence could start for their respective leagues in Cleveland?

Some of the more surprising snubs include Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, who leads the MLB in RBI with 66, and Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres, who is currently behind Jorge Polanco and Carlos Correa.

Even though you can't please everyone, the 2019 All-Star Game has done a good job of isolating and rewarding the best players in the game.