Jose Altuve leads AL second basemen in all-star voting

There isn't an Astros fan around that questions the greatness of Jose Altuve, it appears the nation is starting to catch on. Altuve is the leading vote-getter among American League second baseman after the first collection of votes:

The first AL #ASG Balloting Update is in: pic.twitter.com/rTfDmFsKj8

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) May 26, 2015

Altuve ranks fourth among American League players in vote total with 1,301,754 votes thus far, he trails only Royals catcher Salvador Perez (1,447,753), Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (1,376,217), and Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (1,347,351). Altuve has even more votes than the reigning American League MVP Mike Trout (1,297,085).

Altuve leads Royals second baseman Omar Infante (715,345) by 586,409 votes. The surprise thus of the vote is Kanas City fans stuffing the ballots. The Royals would have five starters (Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, Alex Gordon, Perez, and Cain) if the voted ending today, and three others would finish in second (Eric Hosmer, Kendrys Morales, and Infante). The Royals fans even have Alex Rios in the top six among outfielders.

Altuve would be the seventh Astros selected to start if the voting holds. The previous Astros were first baseman Jeff Bagwell (1997), first baseman Lance Berkman (2008), second baseman Craig Biggio (1995-1998), outfielder Cesar Cedendo (1973), second baseman Jeff Kent (2004), and first baseman Lee May (1972). It would be the first start for an Astro in the American League, and Altuve's third-overall All-Star selection (2012, 2014).

The only other Astros to appear on the list is shortstop Jed Lowrie, who checks in at fourth position with 332,534 votes. Lowrie has been on the shelf since early April with thumb surgery, and he will be out until after the All-Star game.