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Angels’ Shohei Ohtani elected AL’s starting DH for All-Star Game

June 23, 2023

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was elected on Thursday to start the All-Star Game at designated hitter for the third straight year, while outfielder Mike Trout moved on to next week’s Phase 2 for a spot in July 11 game in Seattle.

Ohtani bypassed Phase 2 of the process by virtue of being the top vote-getter in the American League, with more than 2.6 million votes. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. received 3,082,600 votes to lead all players and secured his spot on the National League team.

“I would like to thank all the fans that voted for me,” Ohtani said in a statement released by the Angels. “This is a huge honor. I will use this as motivation and will continue to give it my all on the field.”

It remains to be seen if Ohtani will be selected as a pitcher also. Players vote for the pitchers and reserves, which will be announced on July 2.

Ohtani is the only player in history to be selected as an All-Star as a pitcher and position player in the same year, having done it in 2021 and 2022.

Ohtani is hitting .292 and leads the majors with 24 home runs and a .993 OPS. On the mound, he is 6-3 with a 3.13 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 89 innings.

The first phase of voting narrows each position to two finalists with the top vote-getter in each league rewarded as the automatic starter at his position. Six outfielders compete for three starting spots.

Trout is competing with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays, Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros, Kevin Kiermaier of the Toronto Blue Jays and Adolis Garcia of the Texas Rangers. The top three will be named starters.

Judge and Alvarez are currently injured.

Four Dodgers – first baseman Freddie Freeman, catcher Will Smith, outfielder Mookie Betts and DH J.D. Martinez – advanced to Phase 2 at their respective positions.

The second phase of voting will run from Monday at 9 a.m. PT through Thursday, June 29 at 9 a.m. PT. Vote totals from the first phase do not carry over and fans will be allowed to vote just once per 24-hour period.

American League finalists:

Catcher: Adley Rutschman, Orioles; Jonah Heim, Rangers

First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays; Yandy Diaz, Rays

Second base: Marcus Semien, Rangers; Whit Merrifield, Blue Jays

Third base: Josh Jung, Rangers; Matt Chapman, Blue Jays

Shortstop: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays; Corey Seager, Rangers

Outfield: Aaron Judge, Yankees; Mike Trout, Angels; Randy Arozarena, Rays; Yordan Alvarez, Astros; Kevin Kiermaier, Blue Jays; Adolis Garcia, Rangers