The 2018 MLB All-Star Game will take place on July 17 from Nationals Park, in Washington, DC and the voting for the annual summer classic is officially underway! This year several rookies and many players in their second or third season have a very realistic chance at not only making the big game but starting in it as well.

Albies, Gennett having monster seasons

We all know that the fans pick the players who make it to the All-Star game, however, if Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies isn’t at the game - and in the starting lineup, something is seriously wrong.

What a great story this kid has been for the Braves in 2018. According to an MLB.com report, the 21-year-old is tied for sixth place overall with 14 home runs and has an OPS of nearly .900. With 35 RBIs and six stolen bases, he has been a huge part of why the Braves are off and running in the NL East this season.

Albies isn’t alone in his great start at second base in the NL. Cincinnati's Scooter Gennett is off to a sizzling start as well. While he also has never been an All-Star, he has shown up to this point that he clearly deserves a spot on this year’s roster. Gennett is hitting a solid .341, which ranks him amongst the leaders in the National League. With 11 homers and 39 RBIs, Gennett is on pace to have his best season as a pro.

The power of Shohei Ohtani

Of course, we can’t talk about the All-Star game without mentioning Shohei Ohtani. What can’t this kid do? So far Ontani has more than lived up to the hype since heading to America from Japan. Ohtani really is the modern-day Babe Ruth. He can hit, and boy can he pitch. In just over 100 at-bats in 2018, Ohtani has hit six home runs and driven in 20.

On the mound, he has a blazing fastball that can hit 100 mph, which has helped him compile a 4-1 record to go along with 57 strikeouts in 45 innings. On this year’s ballot, Ohtani is listed as a designated hitter, however, you would have to believe that someway, somehow the AL coaching staff will get him on the mound for one inning.

How to vote

Voting for the 2018 MLB All-Star game is easy as eating a hot dog at the ballpark. According to MLB.com, fans can vote at the ballpark or online, so you have options. Fans can vote up to five times every 24 hours by heading to the official MLB.com voting link. Voting ends on July 5, 2018, at 11:59 PM ET.

The link to vote for your favorite players is in the Tweet above. Vote early and vote often baseball fans because the roster of this season's All-Star game is being selected by you!
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