Can Giancarlo Stanton get enough votes to be All-Star Game starter?
Where would the Miami Marlins be without slugger Giancarlo Stanton, a bonafide National League MVP candidate?
Stanton has paced the NL in home runs (21) and RBI (61) the entire first half. He also boasts the sixth-best batting average (.313) for a player considered just a power threat. Stanton is fourth in on-base percentage (.412), sixth in slugging (.585) and third in OPS (.997).
The 24-year-old sits fourth in All-Star Game voting, behind Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, Milwaukee Brewers' Carlos Gomez and Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig.
Only two Marlins have ever been named starters for the Midsummer Classic: third baseman Gary Sheffield (1993) and shortstop Hanley Ra'mirez (2008-10).
Time is running out as fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday to cast their votes at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device. Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots and also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots if logged into their MLB.com account.
Stanton has already committed to the Home Run Derby after being asked by captain and Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The fifth-year player made the 2012 All-Star team but couldn't participate because of knee surgery.
Should Stanton not get voted in as an outfielder, he could still make the starting lineup as the designated hitter.
This year's All-Star Game will be held at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, on July 15.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
