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Who gets your vote?
National League
Michael Bourn, CF, Braves: Ten years ago, a Braves center fielder became the first NL Final Vote winner. That was Andruw Jones. This candidate has more jets, and is hoping to return to an event in which he played the final inning in Anaheim in 2010, representing the Astros. #VoteBourn (N1)
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals: Only David Wright of the Mets has driven in more runs and posted a higher batting average and OPS among NL third basemen. Freese joins Jermaine Dye (2008, White Sox) as the only Final Vote candidates to have a World Series MVP Award on their resumes. #FreesePlease (N2)
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals: "Somehow, someway, Bryce Harper has to be in this ballgame," FOX commentator Tim McCarver said of the Nationals' rookie sensation. This would be the somehow and the someway if fans are up for it. #BryceIn12 (N3)
Aaron Hill, 2B, D-backs: Hill is the first player since 1931 with two cycles in the same season. He will try to become the first middle infielder to win a Final Vote. In the first decade, 10 outfielders, three pitchers, three first basemen, two catchers and two third basemen were chosen. #FinHillVote (N4)
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: Remember when Cal Ripken won the 2001 All-Star MVP Award in Seattle in his farewell campaign? This is the swan-song season for Jones, and it is up to you to decide whether he should have the same opportunity as Ripken in what would be his eighth Midsummer Classic. #VoteChipper (N5)
American League
Jonathan Broxton, RHP, Royals: No Midsummer Classic host has had a Final Vote winner, with D-backs pitcher Ian Kennedy falling short last year in the latest bid. Now the Royals will do their best to rally support for their closer. #VoteBroxton (A1)
Yu Darvish, RHP, Rangers: Japanese players have fared well in the Final Vote, with Hideki Matsui of the Yankees winning in 2004 and Hideki Okajima of the Red Sox winning in 2007. The fact that Darvish is even on this ballot speaks volumes for the number of starters and reserves Washington already had on his All-Star squad. #VoteYu (A2)
Ernesto Frieri, RHP, Angels: At the very least, a lot more people around baseball are going to know about Mike Scioscia's closer. He will be a darkhorse candidate, especially with the Halos on the road throughout the Final Vote campaign, but the Angels are back in contention, and his profile will continue to grow. (A3)
Jason Hammel, RHP, Orioles: Baltimore is in playoff contention, and the 6-foot-6 righty is one of the big reasons. Hammel (8-3, 3.29 ERA) is Baltimore's fourth Final Vote candidate, following Ramon Hernandez in 2006, Brian Roberts in '08 and Adam Jones last year. #VoteHammel (A4)
Jake Peavy, RHP, White Sox: This is the fifth anniversary of the 78th All-Star Game in San Francisco, where Peavy was on top of the world as the NL starter and eventual Cy Young winner with San Diego. He has recaptured much of that form in the first half with the White Sox. #TakeJake (A5)
National League
Michael Bourn, CF, Braves: Ten years ago, a Braves center fielder became the first NL Final Vote winner. That was Andruw Jones. This candidate has more jets, and is hoping to return to an event in which he played the final inning in Anaheim in 2010, representing the Astros. #VoteBourn (N1)
David Freese, 3B, Cardinals: Only David Wright of the Mets has driven in more runs and posted a higher batting average and OPS among NL third basemen. Freese joins Jermaine Dye (2008, White Sox) as the only Final Vote candidates to have a World Series MVP Award on their resumes. #FreesePlease (N2)
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals: "Somehow, someway, Bryce Harper has to be in this ballgame," FOX commentator Tim McCarver said of the Nationals' rookie sensation. This would be the somehow and the someway if fans are up for it. #BryceIn12 (N3)
Aaron Hill, 2B, D-backs: Hill is the first player since 1931 with two cycles in the same season. He will try to become the first middle infielder to win a Final Vote. In the first decade, 10 outfielders, three pitchers, three first basemen, two catchers and two third basemen were chosen. #FinHillVote (N4)
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: Remember when Cal Ripken won the 2001 All-Star MVP Award in Seattle in his farewell campaign? This is the swan-song season for Jones, and it is up to you to decide whether he should have the same opportunity as Ripken in what would be his eighth Midsummer Classic. #VoteChipper (N5)
American League
Jonathan Broxton, RHP, Royals: No Midsummer Classic host has had a Final Vote winner, with D-backs pitcher Ian Kennedy falling short last year in the latest bid. Now the Royals will do their best to rally support for their closer. #VoteBroxton (A1)
Yu Darvish, RHP, Rangers: Japanese players have fared well in the Final Vote, with Hideki Matsui of the Yankees winning in 2004 and Hideki Okajima of the Red Sox winning in 2007. The fact that Darvish is even on this ballot speaks volumes for the number of starters and reserves Washington already had on his All-Star squad. #VoteYu (A2)
Ernesto Frieri, RHP, Angels: At the very least, a lot more people around baseball are going to know about Mike Scioscia's closer. He will be a darkhorse candidate, especially with the Halos on the road throughout the Final Vote campaign, but the Angels are back in contention, and his profile will continue to grow. (A3)
Jason Hammel, RHP, Orioles: Baltimore is in playoff contention, and the 6-foot-6 righty is one of the big reasons. Hammel (8-3, 3.29 ERA) is Baltimore's fourth Final Vote candidate, following Ramon Hernandez in 2006, Brian Roberts in '08 and Adam Jones last year. #VoteHammel (A4)
Jake Peavy, RHP, White Sox: This is the fifth anniversary of the 78th All-Star Game in San Francisco, where Peavy was on top of the world as the NL starter and eventual Cy Young winner with San Diego. He has recaptured much of that form in the first half with the White Sox. #TakeJake (A5)
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