Buster Posey is out to an early lead in 2017 All-Star voting at the catcher position, and could be on his way to a third consecutive start behind the dish in the Midsummer Classic.
Posey, who leads his nearest competitor by more than 200,000 votes, is the only Giant to be featured in the first ballot update. He is hitting .333 this season with seven home runs and has received the fourth-most votes of any National League player.
Outfielder @Bharper3407 of the @Nationals leads the NL in fan balloting for the 2017 @AllStarGame. Vote now at https://t.co/qd5OOxn7ED pic.twitter.com/SdPsLKdClg
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) May 30, 2017
Cubs fans have flooded the ballot boxed in the early going, fresh off a 2016 World Series title. They have a player in first or second place at each infield position, including Willson Contreras who trails Posey at catcher, and their three outfielders are in third, fourth and fifth places.
Posey’s lead seems to be comfortable, but if the Cubs faithful amp up their voting efforts on a widespread scale, he could be unseated. Regardless of whether he starts or not, Posey, who’s already been named to four All-Star teams, will likely be chosen for the squad anyway barring a major slump or injury.
The Giants have had at least three All-Stars in each of the last six seasons, but with the usually-reliable Madison Bumgarner on the DL and not many other players stepping up in big ways this season, Posey could be the lone representative in 2017. The next NL voting update will come next Monday.