For the first time since 2014, the Orioles will have two starters in the All-Star Game. Catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson beat out Kansas City’s Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. in the final phase of voting that ended at noon on Wednesday.
Henderson received 65 percent of the vote to Witt’s 35 percent. Rutschman received 70 percent of the vote.
Rutschman will become the first Orioles catcher to start an All-Star Game since Terry Kennedy in 1987. Henderson will be the first Orioles shortstop to start since Manny Machado in 2018.
Rutschman was selected as a reserve last year.
The All-Star Game will be played on July 16th at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
In 80 games, Rutschman is hitting .291 with an .811 OPS with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs. Henderson, who announced on Sunday he’d participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15th, is hitting .288 with a .983 OPS, 26 home runs and 58 RBIs.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, third baseman Jordan Westburg, outfielder Anthony Santander and designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn finished second in the final phase of voting.
Reserves and pitchers will be announced on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN. Last year, the Orioles had four All-Stars — Rutschman, outfielder Austin Hays and relievers Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano.
Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones started the 2014 All-Star Game.