2018 MLB All Star Snubs
Analyzing the most notable names not selected to the Midsummer Classic
The MLB All-Star rosters were announced Sunday evening and as usual, there are surprising names that were selected and some notable snubs. It doesn’t help that Major League Baseball mandates that each team send at least one representative to the Midsummer Classic, which is taking place in Washington, D.C. on July 17. Naturally, that leads to some questionable selections and obvious snubs. Before I delve into notable names left off of the All-Star roster, here’s a review of who was selected.
American League
Starting Lineup:
First base: Jose Abreu, White Sox
Second base: Jose Altuve, Astros
Third base: Jose Ramirez, Indians
Shortstop: Manny Machado, Orioles
Outfield: Mookie Betts, Red Sox
Outfield: Aaron Judge, Yankees
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels
Catcher: Wilson Ramos, Rays
Designated hitter: J.D. Martinez
Catchers: Wilson Ramos, Tampa Bay Rays; Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
Infielders: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox (First base); Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (Second base); Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles (Shortstop); Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians (Third base); Francisco Lindor (shortstop), Alex Bregman, Houston Astros (Third base); Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees (second base); Mitch Moreland, Boston Red Sox (First base)
Outfielders: Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox; Aaron Judge, New York Yankees; Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians; George Springer, Houston Astros; Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners; Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
Designated hitter: J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox; Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners
Pitchers: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros; Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians; Luis Severino, New York Yankees; Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians; Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox; Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros; Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners; Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins; Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees; J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays; Joe Jimenez, Detroit Tigers; Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox; Blake Treinen, Oakland A’s
Manager: A.J. Hinch
National League
Starting Lineup:
First base: Freddie Freeman, Braves
Second base: Javier Baez, Cubs
Third base: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Giants
Outfield: Bryce Harper, Nationals
Outfield: Matt Kemp, Dodgers
Outfield: Nick Markakis, Braves
Catcher: Willson Contreras, Cubs
Catchers: Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs; Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants; J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins
Infielders: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves (First base); Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs (Second base); Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants (Shortstop); Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (Third base); Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks (First base); Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds (First base); Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves (Second base); Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds (Third base); Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies (Shortstop); Scooter Gennett, Cincinnati Reds (Second base)
Outfielders: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals; Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers; Nick Markakis, Atlanta Braves; Lorenzo Cain, Milwaukee Brewers; Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers; Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
Pitchers: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals; Jacob deGrom, New York Mets; Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs; Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies; Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers; Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers; Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks; Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals; Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Braves; Brad Hand, San Diego Padres; Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals; Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh Pirates
Manager: Dave Roberts
Pitching Snubs:
SP: Blake Snell, Rays
How do you justify excluding the AL ERA-leader (2.59), who has amassed 12 wins, from the All-Star roster? While it’s likely he’ll makes the team as a reserve because of injuries or another pitcher being unavailable to pitch in the All-Star game, it’s not the same satisfying feeling as being voted in by your peers or fans. “I feel like being an alternate, it’s not satisfying,’’ Snell said. “I feel like I earned it, but being an alternate, it doesn’t feel the same.’’
SP: James Paxton, Mariners
How good was Paxton’s first-half? He threw a no-hitter and struck out 16 in a different game. He owns a very respectable 2.90 ERA as well. What likely kept him off the roster was his shaky April, when he was responsible for a 5.12 ERA. But he’s bounced back rather nicely since then.
1B: Jesus Aguilar, Brewers
He’s a Final Vote candidate in the NL, but judging strictly on his numbers and the recent tear he’s been on, Aguilar deserves to make the All-Star roster. He’s been a big part of the Brewers’ great first-half, batting .306 with an NL-best 22 home runs and a 1.001 OPS entering play Monday night.
2B: Jed Lowrie, A’s
Amongst second basemen, only Javy Baez of the Cubs has more home runs (17) and RBI (65) than Lowry. The A’s have won 16 of their past 20 entering play Monday and Lowire is a large reason why. During that stretch, Lowrie has a 1.066 OPS and 20 RBI. uesday afternoon MLB announced A’s second baseman Jed Lowrie has been named to the AL All-Star team as an injury replacement for Yankees rookie Gleyber Torres, who is on the disabled list with a hip strain and will miss the All-Star Game next week.
SS: Jean Segura, Mariners
Segura is second in the AL on hits and ranks third in batting average (.330) with 47 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Albeit a tough task, Segura still has a chance to make it if he wins AL Final Vote and beats out Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox, Eddie Rosario of the Twins, Andrelton Simmons of the Angels and Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees. The AL is deep at shortstop and it’s hard to argue against Manny Machado being named a starter, but I would’ve preferred to see Segura on the roster instead of rookie Gleyber Torres, who probably got the nod because he plays in New York and is having a solid start to his MLB career. The early returns, surprisingly, have Segura leading the AL Final Vote as of Tuesday.
3B: Anthony Rendon, Nationals
Rendon is having another another solid year with the Nationals, posting an .858 OPS, but the competition at third base is fierce in the NL, and Rendon missed three weeks with an injury, which likely cost him a spot to play in the All-Star game on his home field.
OF: Albert Almora Jr., Cubs
Almora is third in the NL in battign average (.321) entering play Tuesday. He’s a defensive force as well, ranking fifth in his position in defensive runs saved. He’s an exciting and energizing player to watch, but the fact that he doesn’t start everyday because of the crowded outfield the Cubs employ may have cost Almora a spot on the roster.
OF: Eddie Roasario, Twins
Roasario has been Minnesota’s best player. He raised his batting average over .300 in late May and has kept it above that mark while delivering 18 homers and 53 RBI. He’s got a cannon for an arm and continues to show signs of improvement.
