The Major League Baseball All-Star ballot is out.
Some picks seem simple, with slugger and MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani in the National League Designated Hitter slot. Others do not. One of those other positions with voters shaking their heads in the American League Second Base category, which most view as lacking a clear frontrunner.
But there is a crystal apparent reason for that.
The American League Second Base Dilemma
The All-Star ballot for this year is unlike the ones at other positions because it lacks a clear frontrunner. This dilemma can be summed up by one thing—or rather, player—Jose Altuve.
Altuve is a unique position at this mark of the MLB season compared to his year’s past because he’s in a bit of a slump. And that’s putting it lightly. According to Will Leitch of MLB.com, the 5’6″ Houston Astros player is having his absolute worst offensive season in 12 years.
It is also worth mentioning that Altuve is still listed on the second base ballot despite only playing 12 games at that particular position as of press time this season, as he’s also started quite a bit at left field.
Earlier this season, Altuve looked like his vintage self. The nine-time All-Star was hitting over .300, causing havoc out of the leadoff spot.
Maybe a little @astros heavy but AL 2B isn’t a strong category for me, so I put Altuve in there, and Jake deserves my vote as well! @astros pic.twitter.com/8bizIqVvjK
— Htown Wheelhouse™️2X World Series Champs ’17, ’22 (@HtownWheelhouse) June 5, 2025
But, facts are facts — From April 18 through May 6, Altuve’s numbers at the plate are fierce. In 58 plate appearances, he’s sporting a .170/241/.264 slash line with only one home run. This player gets among the most at-bats in Houston’s lineup, yet he isn’t delivering.
“It takes time, you know? You’ve got to work hard every day. It’s a long season, so … yeah,” Altuve recently said.
Altuve is also one of the most recognizable stars in the league. He won the AL MVP in 2017 and has two World Series Championships under his belt, in addition to earning seven Silver Sluggers and one Gold Glove.
Now, players get in slumps — MLB players or not, they’re still just human beings. But Altuve gets paid $33 million per year through 2027 and $13 million a year for the next two years, so he must continue his career trajectory, so the money Houston puts out is well worth it.
Phase one of the MLB All-Star voting began on June 4 and will end on June 26. The second phase, which Altuve is currently unsure about whether he’ll cut, features the top vote-getters from the first phase, begins June 30, and concludes on July 2.
And while Altuve is on the ballot, some people don’t want to give him their vote. It’s up to him to turn things around before voting comes to a close.