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San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera has surpassed Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers for the third outfield spot in the National League’s latest balloting figures for the 83rd All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 10th at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
Cabrera, who leads the Majors with 98 hits, has amassed 2,144,107 votes as he aims to become an All-Star for the first time in his eight-year career. The 27-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, who is also tied for the Major League lead with seven triples and ranks second with a .364 batting average, could become just the fourth San Francisco outfielder to be selected to start by the fans, joining Willie Mays (1970-71), Kevin Mitchell (1989-90) and Barry Bonds (1993-96, 98, 2000-04, 07). He is joined in the outfield by the N.L.’s leading vote-getter, Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kemp, who is currently on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, has received 3,322,009 votes. The 27-year-old, who started the 2011 Midsummer Classic, could give the Dodgers a fan-elected starter in three consecutive Midsummer Classics for the first time since balloting began in 1970. Six-time All-Star Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals completes the N.L. outfield with 2,652,980 votes. Beltran, who collected his 300th career stolen base on Friday night, became just the eighth player and first switch-hitter to join the 300-homer/300-stolen base club. Braun (2,118,925) is a close fourth behind Cabrera, followed by Kemp’s teammate Andre Ethier (1,517,218) and Beltran’s teammate Matt Holliday (1,374,004).
Two-time All-Star Rafael Furcal of the Cardinals, who has garnered 1,741,360 votes, has overtaken Troy Tulowitzki (1,647,235) of the Colorado Rockies at shortstop. Furcal, who leads the N.L. with 29 RBI from the lead-off spot, would join Ozzie Smith (1983-92, 94-95), Edgar Renteria (2003-04) and David Eckstein (2005) as the only Cardinals shortstops to be elected by the fans since balloting began in 1970. Two-time All-Star Joey Votto (3,151,032) of the Cincinnati Reds has a firm lead on the first base race, and is closing in on Kemp for the overall N.L. lead. Votto, who ranks ahead of Freddie Freeman (1,193,455) of the Atlanta Braves, has reached base safely in 62 of his 66 games played this season. The 2010 N.L. MVP, who leads the Majors with a .368 batting average, 29 doubles, 55 walks and a .491 on-base percentage, would become the first Reds first baseman ever to be elected to start by the fans and the first infielder since Barry Larkin in 2000. In a crowded race at third base, five-time All-Star David Wright (1,977,388) of the New York Mets continues to outpace Pablo Sandoval (1,612,497) of the Giants, Chipper Jones (1,547,221) of the Braves and David Freese (1,540,085) of the Cardinals. Wright, who ranks second in the Majors with a .455 on-base percentage and fifth with a .353 batting average, could join Mike Piazza (seven) and Darryl Strawberry (six) as the only Mets players to earn at least five fan-elected starts. In addition, he would join Mike Schmidt (nine) as the only N.L. third basemen to draw five fan-elected starts. Two-time All-Star Dan Uggla of the Braves, who has started all 67 games this season and has played all but two innings in the field, rounds out the N.L infield at second base with 2,054,920 votes. The 32-year-old, who leads all Major League second basemen with 201 homers since 2006, is leading Votto’s teammate and two-time All-Star Brandon Phillips (1,272,389).
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has totaled 2,445,005 votes as he aims for his first career All-Star appearance. The 2010 N.L. Rookie of the Year, who leads the Giants with eight home runs and 35 RBI, is trying to become the first Giants catcher to win a fan-elected start. Posey is followed closely by Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina (2,291,567), who is seeking his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and third fan-elected start.
NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR VOTING TOTALS
FIRST BASE
Joey Votto, Reds: 3,151,032
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 1,193,455
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 1,159,418
Brandon Belt, Giants: 907,739
Ryan Howard, Phillies: 677,368
SECOND BASE
Dan Uggla, Braves: 2,054,920
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 1,272,389
Jose Altuve, Astros: 1,074,993
Omar Infante, Marlins: 901,970
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 814,263
THIRD BASE
David Wright, Mets: 1,977,388
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,612,497
Chipper Jones, Braves: 1,547,221
David Freese, Cardinals: 1,540,085
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 912,648
SHORTSTOP
Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 1,741,360
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,647,235
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 1,006,333
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 983,520
Brandon Crawford, Giants: 935,216
CATCHER
Buster Posey, Giants: 2,445,005
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 2,291,567
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 1,756,018
Brian McCann, Braves: 1,471,797
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 768,317
OUTFIELD
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 3,322,009
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 2,652,980
Melky Cabrera, Giants: 2,144,107
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 2,118,925
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 1,517,218
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 1,374,004
Hunter Pence, Phillies: 1,234,428
Michael Bourn, Braves: 1,201,215
Angel Pagan, Giants: 1,158,500
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 1,151,403
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 1,120,406
Jason Heyward, Braves: 1,049,769
Shane Victorino, Phillies: 1,039,970
Martin Prado, Braves: 893,995
Jay Bruce, Reds: 893,101
