Royals stars Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez have been named as finalists for the MLB All-Star game.
Kansas City Royals players Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. are advancing to the next phase of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game voting. Both have become finalists after securing the second-highest votes in their respective positions during Phase 1. The voting for Phase 2 starts on Saturday, June 30, at 11 a.m. Central and will continue until Wednesday, July 3. Fans can vote online at mlb.com, with vote totals resetting for this phase. Each fan can cast one vote per day across various MLB platforms. The players with the most votes in Phase 2 will start in the All-Star Game, with the starters announced on July 3 at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro praised Perez and Witt, stating they deserve to be starters despite tough competition. Perez received 1,429,732 votes in Phase 1, finishing behind Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles (2,791,952) for the catcher position. Perez aims for his ninth All-Star selection. Witt, with 1,417,629 votes, trailed Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2,664,120). Witt is aiming for his first All-Star appearance at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, near his hometown of Colleyville.
Witt leads the American League in batting average and total hits, boasting a .311 average with 102 hits, 12 home runs, and 53 RBIs. If selected, Witt would join former Royals Freddie Patek (1978) and Alcides Escobar (2015) as All-Star shortstops. Perez, a four-time fan vote winner, has been consistent with a .279 average, 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a .809 OPS this season, including hitting his 250th career home run against the New York Mets.
Other Royals, such as starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans, also have All-Star potential. Lugo, tied for the MLB lead with 10 wins and holding a 2.29 ERA in 17 starts, recently earned his 50th career win. Ragans ranks fifth in MLB with 120 strikeouts, limiting opponents to a .219 batting average over 98 innings. All-Star pitchers and reserves will be chosen through a combination of player ballots and selections by the Commissioner’s Office.
