Not only did Bumgarner, 25, appear for the first time on the most popular player jersey list that was released jointly by MLB and the MLB Players Association, but he also led a group of charismatic and talented young All-Stars.
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Six of the top 10 players on the list are 26 years of age or younger, including Cubs rookie Kris Bryant, 23, who also makes his debut on the most popular player jersey list, coming in at No. 2, after only three months in the majors. It’s the highest ranking of a rookie on the list since MLB and the MLBPA began releasing jerseys sales rankings in 2010.
Giants catcher Buster Posey, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper round out the top five.
The list is based on sales of Majestic jerseys from MLB.com/shop, the official online shop of Major League Baseball, between Opening Day 2015 and the 2015 All-Star Game.
Other players appearing in the top 20 for the first time are Reds third baseman Todd Frazier and Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer.
Eight infielders, four outfielders, two catchers, five pitchers and one DH from 12 teams make up the top 20 most popular player jerseys in the season’s first half.
Noteworthy by their absence: The Yankees, who, according to ESPN.com, don’t have a player ranked among the top 20 most popular jerseys for the first time since MLB and the players union began releasing the sales list.
MLB Most Popular Player Jerseys – 2015 First Half
Madison Bumgarner, Giants
Kris Bryant, Cubs
Buster Posey, Giants
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Bryce Harper, Nationals
Hunter Pence, Giants
Mike Trout, Angels
Matt Harvey, Mets
David Ortiz, Red Sox
Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Todd Frazier, Reds
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
David Wright, Mets
Albert Pujols, Angels
Max Scherzer, Nationals
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
