More than 33.2 million votes were cast for the final All-Star in each league entering Tuesday, and Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig remained second to Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, according to Major League Baseball’s official vote totals.
Freeman and Puig are still first and second, respectively, among National Leaguers. San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence was third, Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond was fourth and Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was fifth when the day began.
The Dodgers are promoting both Puig and Gonzalez’s candidacies via social media and television advertisements, but Gonzalez has thrown his support behind Puig. So have many fans.
Puig is batting .409/.436/.667 in his first 33 major-league games. His eight home runs rank second on the Dodgers to Gonzalez, despite having played less than half as many games (85 to 33). His five steals are tied for third on the team. His throwing arm from right field has been a weapon that was missing with Andre Ethier the last seven years.
Meanwhile, among fans “Puigmania” has become a thing rivaling Fernandomania and other rookie sensations past. Puig’s jersey sales have set records and his candidacy has sparked some controversy over whether his career is long enough to be considered All-Star worthy this season.