PHOENIX — A.J. Pierzynski remained fourth among National League catchers when the second All-Star fan voting update was announced Wednesday, and the 38-year-old catcher also remained the only Braves player among the leaders at any position.
Pierzynski received 448,162 votes, about 100,000 votes behind Miguel Montero of the Cubs and far behind the catching leaders, the Giants’ Buster Posey (1,679,730) and Cardinals’ Yadier Molina (1,542,231). Molina led Posey in the first update a week ago.
Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper maintained the overall lead in NL All-Star votes with 2,323,186.
There will be four more voting updates, the last on June 30, before the July 14 All-Star Game in Cincinnati. Fans vote for the All-Star starting position players, while most reserves and all pitchers will be selected by All-Star managers.
Pierzynski was a two-time American League All-Star with the Twins in 2002 and White Sox in 2006. He signed a free-agent deal with the Braves last winter to serve as a backup and mentor to rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt, but the veteran’s performance in spring training and early April, coupled with Bethancourt’s struggles, led to Pierzynski getting more playing time than the prospect early in the season.
After hitting .422 with three homers, 14 RBIs and a 1.131 OPS in 12 April games, Pierzynski hit just .145 (9-for-62) with no homers, three RBIs and a .391 OPS in 17 May games.
