By Dan Hock
Astros have multiple fan-elected starters for the fourth time in club history
HOUSTON, TX – Major League Baseball announced tonight the starters for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, which included two Astros: 2B Jose Altuve and DH Yordan Alvarez. This marks the fourth time in franchise history for the Astros to have multiple fan-elected starters in the same season, which also occurred in 1997 (two), 2017 (three) and 2019 (three).
This is Altuve’s ninth time to be selected as an All Star and the sixth time he has been elected as a starter (also 2015-18, 2022). Altuve, who already owns the most All-Star nominations in team history, joins Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar (9) and Rod Carew (6) as the only AL second basemen to win six fan elections. He earned his starting assignment this season by topping the Rangers 2B Marcus Semien in the final vote, by taking 55% of the total votes. Altuve is having another stellar season, hitting .308 (106×344) with 17 doubles, 13 homers, 38 RBI, 13 stolen bases and an .828 OPS in 83 games.
Alvarez is now a three-time All-Star and will make his first starting assignment after making the AL team as a reserve in 2022 and 2023. With this fan election, he is now the first Houston designated hitter to win the honor. Alvarez topped the Orioles DH Ryan O’Hearn in the final fan vote, garnering 52% of the votes. The Astros designated hitter and left fielder is hitting .297 (93×313) with 19 doubles, 18 homers, 46 RBI and a .910 OPS in 82 games this season.
RF Kyle Tucker also advanced to Phase 2 of fan voting, but fell short on a starting assignment. He is still eligible to be named a reserve, which will be announced on Sunday. Tucker was in the AL MVP conversation earlier this season, but has been sidelined with a right shin contusion since June 7. In 60 games this season, Tucker is hitting .266 (57×214) with 11 doubles, 19 homers, 40 RBI, 10 stolen bases and a .979 OPS.
Including Tucker, the Astros have several candidates to be named pitchers or reserves for the Fall Classic and need one additional All-Star to continue their run of having at least three All-Stars in every All-Star Game since the 2017 season. Including the starters named this season, the Astros 32 All-Star selections since 2017 are the most of any Major League club in that span.
Historically, the last time the Astros had multiple fan-elected starters was in 2019 (OF Michael Brantley, 3B Alex Bregman and OF George Springer). They also had three in 2017 (Altuve, Springer, SS Carlos Correa) and two in 1997 (1B Jeff Bagwell, 2B Craig Biggio).
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