Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has taken the lead behind the plate in the latest American League balloting figures. Mauer, a 2006 A.L. All-Star, has collected a total of 1,178,630 votes, vaulting him slightly ahead of Boston Red Sox backstop Jason Varitek (1,133,855), who had led from the outset of this year?s balloting. The next tightest competition is at second base, where Boston?s Dustin Pedroia (1,286,962 votes) has maintained the top slot that he has held throughout the balloting process. Pedroia is trying to stave off surging Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (1,120,439) as both vie to earn their first All-Star Game invitations. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (1,988,251), an eight-time A.L. All-Star, has moved to the front of a crowded pack to become the American League?s leading vote-getter. Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (1,982,786) is right behind the New York captain. Jeter and Ortiz are followed by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (1,940,827), who was Major League Baseball?s overall leading vote-getter in last year?s balloting, and Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, whose 1,917,207 votes make him a candidate for his 12th A.L. All-Star selection. Outfielder Josh Hamilton (1,791,623) of the Rangers trails only Ramirez among A.L. outfielders, making him well positioned to start in the Midsummer Classic in just his second Major League season. Seven-time A.L. All-Star Ichiro Suzuki (1,120,279) of the Seattle Mariners is currently in line to be a fan-elected starter for the sixth time in his Major League career, but Vladimir Guerrero (933,191) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Bobby Abreu (908,935) of the Yankees are among the A.L. outfielders who are still within reach. At first base, Kevin Youkilis (1,482,011) of the Red Sox hangs on to an edge over Justin Morneau (1,214,603) of the Twins.