Orioles: Cedric Mullins Advances to Final All-Star Ballot

Cedric Mullins’ bid to represent the Orioles in a starting role at the All-Star Game continues after finalists were announced on Sunday

On Sunday, Major League Baseball announced its finalists for phase two of fan voting, which determines who will start at each position for the American League and National League during the year’s All-Star Game. With phase one, each infield position and designated hitter were decidedly zeroed in on just three players who fans will be able to vote into the starting job, as well nine total outfielders. The only player to make the cut for the Baltimore Orioles was the 26-year-old outfielder, Cedric Mullins.

With 729,543 votes, Mullins finished seventh among AL outfielders in All-Star votes, up from ninth place where he was reported to be when the count was updated last Monday. Headlining the group was three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, who raked in 2,084,542 votes despite the possibility that he may be unable to play due to a calf strain he suffered in May. Others within the outfielder group advancing to the final ballot include Aaron Judge, Byron Buxton, Michael Brantley, Adolis Garcia, Teoscar Hernandez, Alex Verdugo, and Randal Grichuk.

So far in 2021, Mullins is slashing .311/.380/.536 with a 3.2 fWAR, the highest of any outfielder in the American League. His decision to abandon switch-hitting and bat exclusively from the left side has made Mullins was one of the most improved hitters in Major League Baseball this season. According to Baseball Savant’s year-to-year changes leaderboards, Mullins is one of just 20 hitters across baseball to improve their wOBA by more than .070 points from where it was during the 2020 season.

With phase two voting beginning at 12:00 PM EDT on Monday, June 28th and running through 1:59 PM PT on Thursday, July 1st, Cedric Mullins will have the opportunity to become the first Orioles player to earn a start in the All-Star Game since Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz in 2014.

To vote Cedric Mullins into the American League’s starting lineup, click here.