All-MLB ballot includes 2 with Alabama baseball roots
Two former Alabama high school standouts are among the nominees for the 2023 All-MLB team, but fans are running out of time to vote for them.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson from Morgan Academy is among the 72 position players on the ballot, and New York Yankees reliever Clay Holmes from Slocomb High School is among the 50 pitchers nominated.
Fans can vote online for the All-MLB team, with one selection apiece at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and designated hitter, plus three outfielders, five starting pitchers and two relief pitchers.
The voting closes at 7 p.m. CST Sunday.
The fan voting will account for half of the selection process, with the other half coming from a panel of media members, former players and baseball officials. The 2023 All-MLB team will be announced on Dec. 16 on MLB Network.
Major League Baseball began selecting an All-MLB team in 2019, and Henderson and Holmes are seeking to become the first players with Alabama baseball roots chosen for the honor.
Henderson already has won the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award and the American League Silver Slugger Award at the utility slot, as he split his season with Baltimore between shortstop and third base.
Henderson batted .255 with a .325 on-base average and a .489 slugging percentage. In the 2023 season, he had 100 runs, 29 doubles, nine triples, 28 home runs, 82 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
In his seventh Major League season, Holmes worked in 66 games out of the New York bullpen. He posted a 4-4 record with a 2.86 earned-run average and 24 saves. In 63 innings, he struck out 71 and yielded 51 hits and 23 walks.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.