Mancini, Mullins among Orioles on All-Star ballot (with note)

Major League Baseball has launched its All-Star Game ballots this afternoon, with fans beginning to cast votes at noon via mobile devices at MLB.com, the team websites, the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps, and on Google Search.

Phase 1 ends on June 24 at 4 p.m. The top three vote-getters at each position and top nine outfielders will be revealed on June 27, which moves the process into a four-day Phase 2 period.

Remember when you would receive a ballot at the ballpark and punch out the squares beside each name?

Fans during the initial voting period may submit up to five ballots per 24-hour period on MLB platforms.

Click here to access the ballot.

Starters will be announced on July 1 and full rosters on July 4. Pitchers and reserves are chosen from a combination of players and the commissioner's office.

Trey Mancini is listed among the first basemen after missing the 2020 season following his diagnosis of Stage 3 colon cancer. He ranks third in the majors with 44 RBIs, two behind leader José Abreu, and is batting .284/.361/.512 with 13 doubles and 11 home runs.

Other Orioles on the ballot include second baseman Pat Valaika, shortstop Freddy Galvis, third baseman Maikel Franco, outfielders Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander, catcher Pedro Severino and designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle.

Mullins is playing a superb center field and batting .298/.364/.474 with 14 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 14 RBIs and nine stolen bases.

His 20 hits in the first inning lead the majors.

Left-hander John Means was the lone All-Star representative in 2019. The 2020 Midsummer Classic in Los Angeles was canceled due to the pandemic.

Means, Mancini and Mullins are the Orioles most worthy of consideration. However, they own the worst record in baseball and every team must be represented.

The 91st All-Star Game was moved in April from Atlanta to Coors Field in Colorado on July 13 in response to Georgia's new voting law, which requires a photo ID in order to vote via absentee ballot.

Note: The Orioles optioned left-hander Zac Lowther to Triple-A Norfolk today. Lowther warmed last night, but didn't pitch.

Hunter Harvey could be reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Friday to replace Lowther. However, the Orioles also need to make room on the 40-man roster.