Three Braves still tops in fans’ All-Star voting

The Braves will be well-represented in Washington next month.

MLB unveiled its final AllStar Game fan voting update for the National League on Monday, and the Braves fared strongly, as they have throughout the process.

First baseman Freddie Freeman, second baseman Ozzie Albies and outfielder Nick Markakis lead all NL position players. Freeman’s 2,199,904 votes are the most in the league, while Markakis’ 1,829,276 are the second-most.

Dansby Swanson was second among shortstops, though substantially behind the Giants’ Brandon Crawford. Johan Camargo was third for third baseman and Kurt Suzuki was third among catchers.

Ronald Acuna and Ender Inciarte are fifth and sixth for outfielders, respectively. Former Brave Matt Kemp has rejuvenated his career back with the Dodgers and sits second among outfielders. Washington’s Bryce Harper is third.

“I think everybody appreciates the love and support that Braves Country and the fans around major league baseball are giving us,” Freeman said. “Obviously we all want to be there in the AllStar game, but most importantly we want to be past the 162nd game, and us winning ballgames makes us go on to a national stage. So we definitely do appreciate the voting process that’s been going on and hopefully it will continue for us.”

Freeman might be the league’s MVP frontrunner. He hasn’t shown any lingering effects from last season’s wrist injury, playing in all 76 games thus far.

The Braves’ best player has hit .327 with 15 homers and 53 RBIs. His 96 hits are second-most in the senior circuit, and his current pace could put him within striking distance of career-highs in doubles, triples, homers, RBIs, steals and OPS.

Markakis, 34, is positioned to make the first allstar game of his career. He’s hit .328 with an NL-best 99 hits, along with eight homers and 49 RBIs.

The veteran leaped Harper in the second round of voting. He, Freeman and Albies have been slated to start since the first update two weeks ago, and now pole position for two weeks.

Albies’ performance has fluctuated in recent weeks, but he remains one of the most dynamic and exciting young players in the game. The 21-year-old is hitting .264 with a .799 OPS. Most surprisingly, he’s launched 16 homers despite what his 5-foot-8, 165-pound listed frame would suggest.

The 2018 MLB All-Star Game will be played July 17 in Washington, which hasn’t hosted the event since 1969.

Phillips’ stay brief: Shortly after giving Evan Phillips a life-changing call, the Braves sent their rookie reliever back to the minors without appearing in a game.

“I told him ‘You’re in the mix now,’” manager Brian Snitker said. “Welcome to the life of a reliever.”

The Braves sent Phillips back to Triple-A Gwinnett to open a roster spot for Mike Foltynewicz, who started Monday’s game against the Reds. Foltynewicz had been on the disabled list for two weeks with triceps tightness.

Foltynewicz had emerged as the Braves’ best starter along with left-hander Sean Newcomb. Foltynewicz, who left his last start June 12 after five shutout innings, owns a 0.86 ERA over his past seven outings.

The Braves opted to keep Lucas Sims over Phillips. Snitker wanted an arm capable of providing length in the event Foltynewicz needed to exit early. Foltynewicz wasn’t limited, but in the event of an emergency, Sims was the most viable option.