THE APEX TIMES
A new MLB look at the balloting format argues that fans are doing a good job, while pointing out that one breakout name, Athletics’ Lawrence Butler’s recent teammate companion? (As listed by MLB) Kurtz, could benefit from additional support to secure a starting spot.
MLB’s All-Star voting has always been a blend of performance and popularity, and the league is again spotlighting how the process works. In a June 18 piece, MLB’s official platform walked through the two-step fan voting format used to determine the starting lineups for the Midsummer Classic, emphasizing that fans have meaningful influence in both phases.
The crux of the system is simple: fans vote twice. In the first phase, supporters select the early leaders and help shape which players remain in contention for the starting spots. In the second phase, those ballots get focused again, with fan votes ultimately determining the starters. MLB’s framing in the Athletics-focused article is that the format gives supporters a chance to correct course, rather than locking the lineup in place after a single voting window.
MLB’s message is also partly a public endorsement of voter engagement. The write-up makes the point that, even with the understandable bias that comes from player awareness, the electorate has been doing “good work” in pushing deserving candidates into the spotlight. In that context, the article highlights Kurtz as a player who, in MLB’s view, has earned more attention in the voting process to match his impact.
For the Athletics, the stakes are straightforward even if the voting mechanics are complicated. A starting role in the All-Star Game is not just a personal milestone. It is the kind of public confirmation that can accelerate recognition across the league, influence how opponents game plan, and raise the player’s profile with fans who may be seeing him for the first time.
The broader league takeaway is that balloting is an ecosystem, not a single moment. Two-phase voting means late surges can matter, but it also means player visibility remains crucial. Fans who check standings and box scores early can inadvertently freeze a reputation, while fans who vote closer to the finish line can shift the outcome, especially when multiple candidates are clustered in the standings.
A careful caveat is that an All-Star starting spot is not the same thing as “being the best player in baseball right now.” The game still includes reserves chosen through a different process, and coaches select pitchers and additional players. Starters, however, are where fan voting is most visible, and that visibility is exactly what MLB’s article is urging voters to keep in mind.
What to watch next is how the final voting window reshapes the starting lineup. MLB’s emphasis on the two-phase approach suggests that the league expects fan participation to remain dynamic, with Kurtz positioned as an example of a candidate who benefits when supporters treat voting like a two-step task rather than a one-time decision.