Miguel Sano remains the leader among American League third basemen in the final Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot update released Monday, but is only narrowly leading the Indians' Jose Ramirez, who made up ground in the past week.
Sano has received 1,550,240 votes, leading Ramirez's 1,341,076. Last week Sano was leading by more than 400,000 votes, so Sano needs more support in his bid to become the first Twins position player to be elected to start an All-Star Game since Joe Mauer in 2013.
"I'd be really, really happy if our team is represented by however many players get that opportunity," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "I think for a young guy your first time is special. I remember having anxiety about the potential of going to my first game. I talked to him a few weeks ago about the mindset you should try to keep from that point until you find out one way or the other. But it can be a distraction, understandably so, for somebody, but you try to remember your priority, which is to go out there and help the Minnesota Twins."
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Sano, 24, is having a breakout season, hitting .282/.384/.564 with 18 homers, 10 doubles and 52 RBIs in 67 games while helping the Twins to a surprise lead in the AL Central. Sano is pacing all AL third baseman in RBIs, and he ranks second among AL third basemen in Fangraph.com's Wins Above Replacement. Sano also is second in the Majors in average exit velocity at 95.2 mph, per Statcast™.
Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday at 10:59 p.m. CT. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps.
The Esurance All-Star Selection Show will take place on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. Following the unveiling of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.