All-Star infield: Phillies’ Alec Bohm and Trea Turner join Bryce Harper as NL starters

CHICAGO — Last week, after the Phillies pocketed a win in Detroit, Bryce Harper answered a question with a question.

“Has a team ever had all four [infielders] start [in the All-Star Game]?”

Why yes, actually. Glad you asked, Bryce.

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In 1963, the Cardinals had Bill White, Julián Javier, Dick Groat, and Ken Boyer — around the horn, from first base to third — start the All-Star Game in Cleveland. Fifty-three years later, the Cubs previewed their World Series-winning infield — Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, and Kris Bryant — at the 2016 midsummer showcase in San Diego.

So, no, Harper & Co. won’t make history this year.

But the Phillies’ star-studded infield has plenty of All-Star shine, with Alec Bohm and Trea Turner joining Harper in the National League’s starting lineup July 16 in Arlington, Texas, based on the final phase of fan voting that was revealed Wednesday evening.

Bohm, 27, was recognized as a first-time All-Star for his breakthrough first half. Entering play Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, the third baseman was batting .297/.349/.484 and led the majors with 28 doubles and has the NL’s most RBIs with 68. He earned the second-highest vote total among NL players in the first round of balloting and defeated six-time All-Star Manny Machado in the final round.

Turner, 31, was selected to his third All-Star Game despite missing six weeks with a strained left hamstring. He advanced to the final round of voting — and was competing at shortstop with Mookie Betts, who is out until August with a broken hand. Although Turner barely has 200 plate appearances, he doesn’t lack for numbers: .338/.386/.487 for an .873 OPS after his two-homer game Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

Harper, 31, was already locked in — assuming his strained left hamstring heals in time, as expected — by virtue of leading NL players in the initial round of online fan voting. It marks No. 3′s eighth All-Star selection in 13 seasons and would be his sixth start.

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It’s been a while, though. Injuries have kept Harper out of the All-Star Game since he signed with the Phillies in 2019. It also would be his first start at first base, making him the fourth player ever to start at least five All-Star Games as an outfielder and one as an infielder, according to baseball researcher Sarah Langs. The others: Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Carl Yastrzemski.

Nice company, eh?

But it’s the company that Harper keeps on the Phillies’ infield that had him curious about previous All-Star lineups.

“It would be cool,” Turner said Tuesday night, anticipating the possibility of three Phillies infielders in the lineup. “Anytime you can get teammates together at the All-Star Game, it’s really cool. For me personally, just the way I started last year, just to be in this situation is a win for me.”

J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and Brandon Marsh were also in the mix at their positions. But William Contreras (catcher), Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), and outfielders Jurickson Profar, Christian Yelich, and Fernando Tatis Jr. received more votes.

In the two golden eras in their history, the Phillies had a terrific infield. Larry Bowa and Mike Schmidt were the anchors from 1976 to 1981, with Manny Trillo and Pete Rose arriving at second base and first in 1979. From 2007 to 2011, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard formed three-quarters of baseball’s best infield, with a revolving door at third base that included Pedro Feliz and Plácido Polanco.

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The Phillies have had three All-Star infielders before. Schmidt, Bowa, and second baseman Dave Cash went to the All-Star Game in 1974 and 1976; Schmidt, Bowa, and Rose were there in 1979; Schmidt, Rose, and Trillo went in 1981 and 1982, with all three starting in ‘82 in Montreal. It’s the only time the Phillies had three starting infielders.

In that sense, Harper, Bohm, and Turner would make Phillies history.

Bowa, who assists infield coach Bobby Dickerson in spring training and during the season in his role as a Phillies adviser, sees similar potential in the current crop of infielders.

“These guys work, man,” Bowa said. “They work hard. Bobby started in spring training with them and told them how important it is not to give away outs. We have two or three pitchers that are real big ground-ball pitchers. You’ve got to make the plays, and they’ve done that. They’ve done a great job with it.

“Not only that, but they’re all good hitters, which makes it even better.”

The rest of the rosters — reserves and pitchers — will be chosen via player voting and the commissioner’s picks and will be unveiled at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, also on ESPN.

And Thomson is hoping to see Bryson Stott get chosen at second base, which would put the entire Phillies infield in the All-Star Game. The Braves had four infielders selected last year, and as the NL manager, Thomson put Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley into the game in the fifth inning to play with shortstop Orlando Arcia.

“Hopefully Stott makes it as well,” Thomson said. “I don’t know what the chances are of that, but it’d be kind of cool.”

If not, there’s time to join the 1963 Cardinals and 2016 Cubs in the realm of All-Star trivia. Harper and Turner are under contract through 2031 and 2033. Bohm isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season. Stott is under club control through 2027.