MLB All-Star Game 2025: Voting Leaders and Snubs

By Oliver Wiener June 29, 2025 14:17

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game, set for July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta, is shaping up to showcase the league’s brightest stars and some surprising snubs. After nearly 11 million ballots were cast in Phase 1 of fan voting, two superstars Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers have secured their spots as the starting outfielder and designated hitter, respectively, by leading the voting in their leagues. Their selection is no surprise, as both are reigning MVPs and marquee figures for their pennant-defending teams.

Voting Leaders: Judge and Ohtani Reign Supreme

Aaron Judge topped the American League ballot with a staggering 4,012,983 votes, marking the third time he has been MLB’s top vote-getter and the fourth time leading AL voting. Despite a quieter June, Judge boasts an outstanding .361/.461/.719 slash line with 28 home runs in 80 games, cementing his status as the game’s most feared slugger.

On the National League side, Shohei Ohtani garnered 3,967,668 votes, securing his second time as the NL’s top vote-getter after leading AL voting in 2023. Ohtani’s 28 homers and league-leading 1.025 OPS exemplify his continued dominance as a two-way player and global superstar.

Other top vote-getters include Dodgers catcher Will Smith (3,428,856 votes) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (3,392,751 votes), Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (3,040,594 votes), Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (3,021,265 votes), Guardians third baseman José Ramírez (2,777,085 votes), and Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (2,534,002 votes).

Notable Finalists and Tight Races

In the American League, Cal Raleigh leads catchers by a wide margin, with Alejandro Kirk and Detroit Tigers’ Dillon Dingler trailing behind. Raleigh’s offensive surge has even placed him in AL MVP conversations alongside Judge. First base features a tight AL East battle with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. narrowly leading Paul Goldschmidt, while Rays’ Jonathan Aranda, despite a hot streak, fell short in voting.

The National League catching race is dominated by Will Smith and Carson Kelly, with a significant gap separating them from other contenders. At first base, Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman leads comfortably over Mets’ Pete Alonso, with Braves’ Matt Olson surprisingly far behind.

Snubs and Surprises

While the fan vote highlights many deserving players, some notable snubs have sparked debate. Dillon Dingler, despite strong offensive numbers and defensive prowess, finished third among AL catchers behind Kirk, raising questions about fan recognition versus on-field performance. Similarly, Jonathan Aranda’s omission from the first base finalists, despite a breakout season, suggests that market size and name recognition still heavily influence voting.

Another surprise is Braves first baseman Matt Olson’s relatively low vote total, coming in fifth in NL first base voting despite solid production. Additionally, some fans have expressed disappointment over the absence of certain veterans and emerging stars who have quietly excelled but lack the national spotlight.

What’s Next?

Phase 2 of voting begins June 30 and runs through July 2, where finalists at each position (except NL DH) will compete for the remaining starting spots. Because Judge and Ohtani have locked in starting roles, the number of finalists at their positions has been adjusted accordingly, intensifying the competition for the remaining slots.

The 2025 MLB All-Star voting has reaffirmed the star power of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, who continue to captivate fans with their elite performances. However, the voting also highlights the challenges of fan-driven selections, where deserving players sometimes get overlooked due to market size or name recognition. As Phase 2 unfolds, fans will have the final say in shaping the starting lineups for what promises to be an exciting All-Star Game in Atlanta.

With the game just weeks away, anticipation is building not only for the showcase of talent but also for the debate over who deserved to be there but wasn’t. The 2025 All-Star Game will undoubtedly feature the best of baseball’s present while reminding fans of the sport’s ever-evolving landscape.