Jun 19, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out with two men on base against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

MLB announces All-Star finalists with Aaron Judge, Ronald Acuna Jr. earning starts

By Adam Stites | Last updated 6/30/22

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. earned automatic starting spots in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game as the leading vote-getters in the first round of voting. The other finalists at each position, who were announced Thursday, will move on to a second round of voting.

Judge, 30, leads MLB with 29 home runs this season through 74 games, putting him on pace to challenge Roger Maris' single-season franchise record of 61.

Acuña, 24, missed the beginning of the season while recovering from an ACL tear last season. Since returning to the Braves in late April, Acuña has seven homers and 18 RBIs in 43 games. His .828 OPS is a career-low.

The AL finalists. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9iMBRIOX63
— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2022

The NL field is almost set. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/RWJ00Jqf8w
— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2022

In the second phase of voting -- which will take place between July 5 and July 8 -- fans will decide three starting outfielders and one starter from every other position among the finalists. The pitchers and reserves will be decided by voting among players.

Among the most surprising players to be named finalists is Adam Duvall, who is batting .205 this season with the Braves. The list of players who didn't make the cut includes the Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, who leads the NL with 23 home runs.

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