Kansas City, Mo. ? Royals second baseman Omar Infante is mired in a slump in the batter’s box, but he’s rallied at the ballot box.

Infante moved ahead of the Astros’ Jose Altuve in voting for the starting position for the American League in the All-Star Game next month in Cincinnati.

That means Royals lead the AL All-Star voting at eight of nine positions, and most who have been in front lengthened their leads.

None more than catcher Salvador Perez.

His 7,202,292 votes leads all American League players and is nearly 4 million more than Stephen Vogt of the A’s.

Other Royals who lead at their positions: first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, shortstop Alcides Escobar, designated hitter Kendrys Morales and outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon.

Angels outfielder Mike Trout would be the only non-Royals player to start if the team was selected today.

Royals manager Ned Yost, who will manage the American League, said Sunday that defense keeps Infante in the Royals’ lineup despite three hits in his last 35 plate appearances and a .204 batting average on the season.

Updates on June 22 and June 29 will be released before the voting closes at 11 p.m. July 2. Voting is being conducted online through MLB.com only this season. As many as 35 ballots may be cast from one email address.