Royals occupy 8 starting positions in latest All-Star voting update
The Kansas City Royals' lineup Monday could look very familiar this time next month. That's because it might be the same starting nine representing the American League All-Star team.
Omar Infante is the eighth Royals player to lead voting at his position after passing Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve in Monday's ballot update released by the league.
Infante, who gained more than 450,000 votes over the last seven days, joins seven of his teammates in the AL lineup, which will be managed by Royals skipper Ned Yost. The 33-year-old Infante is currently in the midst of the worst season of his career, batting .204/.213/.283 with the lowest OPS (.496) in the majors among 166 qualified players.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is the only non-Royals player currently projected in the July 14 game, though with four weeks of voting left there's still time for fourth-place Alex Rios to complete the Kansas City sweep.
Here is the latest AL voting update for the #ASG: pic.twitter.com/9YMYBvIG2a
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 15, 2015
The massive voting turnout - and heavily skewed numbers in favor of the Royals - has come under intense scrutiny in recent days. Detroit Tigers pitcher David Price ripped the results last week, arguing the process no longer rewards players who have performed exceptionally.
"An All-Star game IS NOT a popularity contest, it's for home field advantage (for whatever reason) for the World Series," he tweeted.
Yost, who earned the right to manage the team after guiding the Royals to an AL championship last season, responded to the club's critics Monday.
"There's nothing wrong,'' Yost told Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. "Vote! The votes are the votes. If you don't like it, go out there and vote. Our fans have gotten out and voted."
The central-leading Royals enter Monday with the top record in the AL at 34-25.