Harper gets most votes in NL for initial All-Star nomination

Harper gets most votes in NL for initial All-Star nomination originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

Bryce Harper will be the National League’s starting first baseman in the All-Star Game.

Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Harper will skip the second round of voting and was awarded an automatic berth for the July 16 game at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas, because he led all National League voters in the initial round.

Harper received 3,277,920 votes. The only player to receive more was Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was also an automatic starter.

It’s Harper’s eighth All-Star selection and seventh as a fan-selected starter.

There are two finalists per league in each remaining position. Eligible Phillies are catcher JT Realmuto, third baseman Alec Bohm, shortstop Trea Turner, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and outfielders Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos.

Voting for these vacancies begins on Sunday.