Phegley eyes first All-Star Game appearance

Read our FAQ on this year’s revamped balloting format, which includes two phases of fan voting to determine the All-Star starters, and the ability to vote through Google Search.

OAKLAND -- Following a 17-3 victory over the Tigers at Comerica Park on May 16, A’s manager Bob Melvin made his pitch for catcher Josh Phegley to make the American League All-Star team.

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“If you’re looking at All-Star-worthy catchers at this point, I don’t know anyone that is more worthy than he is,” Melvin said. “He continues to have big games.”

Phegley was having a solid year up until that point, coming off a four-hit game. Still, the idea seemed far-fetched at the time given Phegley’s career trajectory as a backup over the previous six seasons. Since Melvin made the case, Phegley has made his manager look like a genius.

Phegley has been on a tear since that day, going 9-for-27 (.333) with three home runs and 10 RBIs over nine games. An everyday player for the first time in his career, he’s now upped his overall batting average to .283 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs, which is tied with Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez for most among AL catchers.

With so many sluggers in the A’s lineup, Phegley’s production could get lost down at the bottom of the order. But the value he’s provided with his many key hits during the recent 10-game winning streak has not been lost on his teammates.

“He’s putting up All-Star numbers in the nine hole, which is pretty crazy,” A’s pitcher Brett Anderson said. “The energy he brings, he’s playing well. We saw it in spurts in the past, but getting a chance to play every day, he’s been phenomenal and kind of a stalwart. It’s fun to see.”

Phegley is joined by Matt Olson, Jurickson Profar, Matt Chapman, Marcus Semien, Ramón Laureano, Chad Pinder, Stephen Piscotty and Khris Davis on the AL All-Star ballot.

Fans may vote in "The Primary" at MLB.com and all 30 club sites, the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark apps up to five times in any 24-hour period. Fans in the US and Canada can also vote on Google Search for every position, or up to 17 unique players per day, by searching "MLB Vote" or the names of their favorite players. Primary voting ends at 1 p.m. PT on Friday, June 21.

The top three vote-getters at each position (including nine outfielders) per league will move on to "The Starters Election," which begins at 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 26. The votes will reset for a 28-hour voting window that ends at 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, June 27. Starters for the 2019 Midsummer Classic will be unveiled on ESPN that night at 4 PT. The pitchers and reserves will be announced on Sunday, June 30, at 2:30 p.m. PT.

Then on Tuesday, July 9, during the 2019 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, fans may visit MLB.com and the 30 club sites to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet.

The 90th Midsummer Classic, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.