Henderson, Rutschman, Mountcastle, Westburg, O'Hearn and Santander move onto next round of All-Star balloting

Six Orioles have advanced past Phase 1 of All-Star Game balloting.

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, catcher Adley Rutschman and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle lead their respective positions. Third baseman Jordan Westburg moves on as the current runner-up to Cleveland’s José Ramírez, and Ryan OHearn jumped from fourth to second among designated hitters behind Houston’s Yordan Alvarez. Anthony Santander is fourth among outfielders.

Rutschman (2,791,952 votes) and Kansas City’s Salvador Perez (1,429,732) are the catching finalists. Henderson (2,664,120) is ahead of the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. (1,417,629), and Mountcastle (2,296,697) is ahead of Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1,976,645).

With a fan election, Rutschman would join Matt Wieters (2014) and Terry Kennedy (1987) among Orioles catchers.

Mountcastle can become the first Orioles first baseman to draw a fan election since Chris Davis in 2013. Others to earn the honor include Boog Powell (1970-71) and Hall of Famer Eddie Murray (1985).

Westburg has received 1,483,679 votes, compared to 2,336,628 for Ramírez, a five-time All-Star. O’Hearn has received 1,222,497, compared to 1,582,813 for Alvarez, and is attempting to join Nelson Cruz in 2014 as the only Orioles designated hitters to be honored by a fan selection.

Westburg is trying to become the Orioles’ first starting third baseman since Manny Machado in 2016.

Santander has received 1,478,034 votes and could be the first Orioles outfielder to be selected by fans since Adam Jones in 2014. He’s behind the Yankees’ Juan Soto (3,000,121) and the Guardians’ Steven Kwan (1,723,074).

New York’s Aaron Judge received the most votes in the American League with 3,425,309 and is assured of a starting spot.

Colton Cowser fell out of the running, missing by one spot with 1,146,514 votes.

Second baseman Jorge Mateo was third with 1,134,779 votes and outfielder Cedric Mullins was seventh with 943,071 to eliminate them as possible starters.

The winners will be announced on ESPN on July 3 at 7 p.m. Pitchers and substitutes will be revealed on ESPN on July 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Corbin Burnes, who’s starting tonight, is an early Cy Young candidate and could be named among the pitchers.  

The Orioles had four representatives last summer: Rutschman, outfielder Austin Hays and relievers Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano. Hays started in place of injured Angels center fielder Mike Trout, but he isn’t on the ballot this season. Bautista won't pitch in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The club hadn’t had more than one All-Star since 2016, when it sent five players to San Diego.

This year’s game will be played on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The entire team will show up eventually because it opens the second half against the Rangers.