Philadelphia — Ronald Acua Jr. will not participate in Phase 2 of this year’s All-Star balloting because he has already been chosen to be one of the National League’s starting outfielders at the Midsummer Classic again this year.

During Phase 1 of the balloting process, which ended on Thursday afternoon, Acua received more votes than any other MLB player. The Braves outfielder has won more votes than any other player in the National League for the past three years. Hank Aaron (1970 and 1971) and Dale Murphy (1985) are the only Braves players to ever receive the most votes during the voting process. He joins them.

By 3,082,600 to 2,646,307 votes, Acua defeated Shohei Ohtani, the leader of the American League. Each is ensured a spot in the beginning setup as the top vote-getters in their particular associations.

The 25-year-old Acua has been selected to start an All-Star Game four times. He was one of the NL’s starting outfielders in 2019 and 22, but he tore his right ACL two days before the All-Star break, preventing him from playing in the 21 game.

It’s likely that the Braves won’t be the only team to make the All-Star team this year. The balloting process’s second phase was attended by catcher Sean Murphy, shortstop Orlando Arcia, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies, third baseman Austin Riley, and outfielder Michael Harris II. During Phase 1, Murphy and Arcia received the most votes for their respective positions.

Beginning Monday around early afternoon ET, Stage 2 of the democratic will be accessible solely on the web and through cell phones at MLB.com/vote, every one of the 30 Club sites, the MLB Application and the MLB Ballpark Application. During a brief window that ends at noon ET on June 29, fans will be able to vote for their favorite candidates at each position. On ESPN, the winners will be announced that evening at 7 p.m. ET.

During this second phase, fans can vote once per day, with daily voting limits reset at midnight ET each day.

The winner at each position, which includes three outfielders in the AL and two remaining outfielders in the NL, will be named a starting position player for the 2023 Midsummer Classic during Phase 2, when vote totals will reset (i.e., vote totals from Phase 1 do not carry over).