Ernie Clement will represent the American League as the surprise top fan vote-getter among AL players, earning the automatic roster spot at second base. He edged out Yordan Alvarez, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout and Bobby Witt Jr., while Shohei Ohtani led the Nation
When Toronto’s Ernie Clement learned he had won the American League fan vote by a wide margin. it wasn’t just a win—it was a curveball. The Blue Jays infielder finished as the surprise top recipient of fan votes among AL players. securing an automatic spot on the league’s roster for the MLB All-Star Game.
The voting system gives the top vote-getter in each league an entry into the midsummer classic. For the American League, Clement will line up as the AL’s second baseman after collecting 3,232,932 total votes. That total was higher than Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (2. 911. 655). Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (2. 567. 404). Angels outfielder Mike Trout (2. 511. 587) and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (2,513,492).
The expected headline belonged to Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. who received the most votes among National League players. Ohtani. who helped the Dodgers to a seven-game win over the Blue Jays in last year’s World Series. finished with 3. 341. 257 votes and set the overall pace for the NL.
Clement’s numbers this season made his breakout into the spotlight feel believable even before the vote results landed: a .292 average with seven homers and 28 RBIs over 77 games. But the way it happened—fans elevating him to the AL’s top vote threshold—still carried an edge of disbelief.
“It’s tough coming in second place to the Dodgers again,” Clement said Thursday before Toronto opened a four-game series with Texas at Rogers Centre. “That’s my first thought. But he’s one of the greatest players to ever play this game.
“I don’t mind being in the same conversation as these guys. It’s pretty funny to me, honestly, and it’s really cool. It’s a really cool honour. I feel the love from Canada and all Blue Jays’ fans, and it means a lot.”
Toronto’s support didn’t stop at Clement. The All-Star finalists at every available position for the Blue Jays all advanced through Phase 1 voting. with catcher Alejandro Kirk. first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. shortstop Andrés Gimenez. outfielders Daulton Varsho and Jesus Sanchez. and designated hitter George Springer all making the cut.
Under the structure of the process. the top two Phase 1 finishers at each position (except AL second baseman and NL designated hitter) and the top six outfielders advanced to Phase 2. where they will face another round of voting. That means Clement is already locked in for the All-Star roster spot—but the race for the rest of the field is still moving.
The MLB All-Star Game will be played July 14 in Philadelphia, with Clement’s fan-vote surge putting the spotlight on a Blue Jays second baseman as the rest of the league’s selections continue to sort themselves out.
MLB All-Star Ernie Clement Toronto Blue Jays Shohei Ohtani fan voting American League National League second baseman July 14 Philadelphia Yordan Alvarez Aaron Judge Mike Trout Bobby Witt Jr Alejandro Kirk Vladimir Guerrero Jr George Springer
All-star is just whoever gets the most votes now? lol
I’m confused because I thought Ohtani always dominates. Clement actually beat Judge and Trout?? fans are wild. Also why is it automatic roster spot like that, feels rigged somehow.
Shohei got the NL votes so of course the headlines are about him, but Clement getting AL 2B is kinda crazy. Doesn’t Toronto usually hype their guys? I don’t know, I didn’t read the whole thing, just saw the numbers. 3 million votes though… that’s like bots or something right?
So he’s an All-Star because fans voted him in at second base, but why is that a “surprise” if he’s been doing decent? .292 sounds good but like… I still don’t recognize the name every time I watch. I swear last year it was different and now it’s random position slots. Anyway congrats Ernie Clement I guess, but that Ohtani mention felt like a distraction.