MLB All-Star Voting 2012: Overall Leaders, Position Battles and Final Results

We have nearly reached the end of the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star voting period, and things are going to get interesting in a few of the races. 

For the most part, we know which players will be starting just by virtue of the cities they play in. Whether you agree with that or not, it is the world we live in.

The best and most deserving players don't always go the All-Star Game. It also doesn't help that MLB feels every team must be represented. 

Since we just want to keep this on the voting, which ended on Thursday night, we won't have any ranting about who got snubbed. Instead, we will provide you with updated voting totals, starting lineups and final vote totals as they are announced on Sunday afternoon. 

AMERICAN LEAGUE VOTE LEADERS	TOTAL VOTES*
Prince Fielder, 1B, Detroit Tigers	2,825,532
Robinson Cano, 2B, New York Yankees	3,559,290
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers	3,073,541
Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees	4,407,982
Mike Napoli, C, Texas Rangers	3,008,228
David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox	3,128,711
Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers	7,310,824
Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Yankees	3,812,339
Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays	2,773,442

NATIONAL LEAGUE VOTE LEADERS	TOTAL VOTES*
Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds	4,475,180
Dan Uggla, 2B, Atlanta Braves	2,641,361
Rafael Furcal, SS, St. Louis Cardinals	2,323,486
David Wright, 3B, New York Mets	2,687,818
Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants	3,335,982
Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers	4,118,524
Carlos Beltran, OF, St. Louis Cardinals	3,717,483
Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers	3,168,617
Melky Cabrera, OF, San Francisco Giants	3,045,884

*Vote totals released on Monday, June 25 at MLB.com. 

Notable Position Battles

Third National League Starting Outfielder

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers	3,168,617
Melky Cabrera, OF, San Francisco Giants	3,045,884

Analysis: Cabrera is having a fantastic first half, as he is third in the National League in batting average (.355) and represents the only player from the senior circuit with more than 100 hits (as of June 28).

That said, Braun is having one of the best seasons of anyone in baseball, hitting .311/.392/.596 and playing, for the first time in his career, above-average defense in left field.

He should be starting in this game, no questions asked. 

American League Starting Second Baseman

Robinson Cano, 2B, New York Yankees	3,559,290
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers	3,462,367

Analysis: Cano's slow start likely contributed to a lot of votes for Kinsler. But the Yankees second baseman is going to win this vote, and deservedly so. 

Third American League Starting Outfielder

Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays	2,773,442
Nelson Cruz, OF, Texas Rangers	2,681,019

Analysis: How Nelson Cruz is even in this race is beyond me. He is a nice player, but not one of the three best outfielders in the American League.

Bautista is having a remarkable year and should get even better when his .194 batting average on balls in play moves up to a more standard level. 

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