Major League Baseball on Sunday announced the three finalists at each position in both leagues. The Braves had three players advance to the next phase of voting.
Outfielder Ronald Acuna, first baseman Freddie Freeman and second baseman Ozzie Albies each ranked as a National League finalist at his position. That means each player is in contention to potentially start the All-Star Game next month in Denver.
In the outfield category, there are nine finalists vying for three starting spots. Acuna is joined by Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Nick Castellanos (Reds), Bryce Harper (Phillies), Joc Pederson (Cubs), Juan Soto (Nationals), Chris Taylor (Dodgers), Jesse Winker (Reds) and Mike Yastrzemski (Giants).
Acuna is the second-leading vote getter overall with 2,510,041 votes, putting him ahead of Salvador Perez (Royals), Mike Trout (Angels) and Fernando Tatis (Padres). Blue Jays slugger Vlad Guerrero is the leading vote getter at 2,704,788 votes.
“It feels good,” Acuna said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “I’m really thankful and appreciative of everyone who took the time to vote for me. I want to make sure they know I’m appreciative and thankful for that. And keep voting if you can.”
Freeman joins Max Muncy (Dodgers) and Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) as a first-base finalist. Albies is joined by Adam Frazier (Pirates) and Gavin Lux (Dodgers) in the second basemen group.
Phase 2 of voting, which will determine the starters, opens at noon Monday and lasts for four days. The starting teams will be announced at 9 p.m. July 1 on ESPN.
