Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier’s breakout season almost made him a starter at the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland.

Dozier, who has 13 home runs and 42 RBIs and a .954 OPS, finished second in the Starters Election to Houston’s Alex Bregman in the voting, 49 percent to 28 percent.

Dozier thanked his fans on Twitter on Thursday, an off-day for the Royals before they begin a four-game series in Toronto.

Dozier and teammate Whit Merrifield still have a chance to make the All-Star Game as reserves. That will be announced on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Dozier, who won Tuesday’s game in Cleveland with a grand slam, has had an amazing breakout season both offensively and defensively.

“There was a time last year when we really had no idea where we would play him,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We thought about right field or maybe first base. His defense just wasn’t good enough to consider him an everyday third baseman.

“But all of that has changed. His defensive improvement has been phenomenal. He’s a guy now who has the third-base job. He can still play some other positions but he has grown into third base. There isn’t a play he can’t make now, and he’s making them. And he has gotten better through hard work.”

Royals third-base coach and infielders instructor Mike Jirschele will testify to that.

“Nobody takes more ground balls at third than Hunter,” Jirschele said. “In fact, he works so hard and takes so many grounders, we have to back him off at times because he works too much. But if you want to know why he has improved so much defensively, it’s just hard work.”

The 2019 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be played on Tuesday, July 9, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. It 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. During the game, 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. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.