Only two Twins are in the running to the make the All-Star game roster for this year’s game at Target Field – and both are far from likely to start.
As of the latest vote tally released on June 2, Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki and second baseman Brian Dozier are both fourth among players at their respective positions.
Suzuki trails Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris, who is in third place, by more than 200,000 votes. Dozier trails Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia by about 180,000 votes. Major League Baseball updates the voting standings once a week.
AL #ASG balloting update. Cano, Cruz new leaders at 2B, DH. pic.twitter.com/B64ZgkfJHO
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 2, 2014
Fans select the starting position players for both the American League and National League. The reserve players and pitchers are selected by a combination of player voting and selections by the manager of each league’s team, according to Major League Baseball.
The website Puckett’s Pond has speculated that closer Glen Perkins could make his second straight All-Star Game appearance. His first ever appearance was last year at Citi Field. Perkins and then-catcher (now first baseman) Joe Mauer were the only Twins at last year’s game.
Mauer was not among the top five vote-getters at first base as of June 2, but he may have a chance to get into the Home Run Derby. Mauer is the only Twin on MLB’s Home Run Derby Fan Poll. If Mauer fails to make this year’s All-Star team, it will be only the second time the St.Paul-native will have not made the team since 2006. His major league debut was in 2004.
A number of former Twins are in contention for All-Star spots. In the American League, former Twins J.J. Hardy, David Ortiz, A.J. Pierzynski and Torii Hunter are among the leading vote getters. In the National League, former Twins Justin Morneau, Carlos Gomez and Michael Cuddyer are among the leading vote getters.
Fans can vote online or in-person at Target Field. Voting closes at Target Field June 26 and online July 3. The rosters will be unveiled during the weekend of July 5-6.
The All-Star game is July 15.
