6 gigantic snubs from MLB's All-Star Game
Major League Baseball officially announced the rosters for the 2018 All-Star Game set to take place at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on July. 17.
While Jose Altuve, Freddie Freeman, and Max Scherzer were obvious selections for the Midsummer Classic thanks to tremendous first halves, there were some noticeable omissions from the lineups in both leagues.
Here are six gigantic snubs from MLB's All-Star Game.
James Paxton, Mariners
| GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 118.2 | 8-3 | 3.49 | 1.07 | 154 |
The Big Maple won't be representing Canada or the Seattle Mariners at the Midsummer Classic despite tossing a no-hitter and anchoring one of MLB's most surprising teams' starting staff. Paxton is not only doing yeoman's work for Seattle (two complete games, 19 starts), but he's also striking out hitters at a career-high rate (11.7 SO/9). His 154 strikeouts are tied for fourth in the American League.
Trea Turner, Nationals
| PA | H | HR | RBI | SB | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 403 | 100 | 11 | 37 | 22 | .774 | 3.2 |
Turner is one of the most electric players in baseball, as was demonstrated Thursday when he drove in eight RBIs against the Miami Marlins, tying an MLB record for most runs driven in during one game by a leadoff hitter. Despite being so crucial to his club's success, the 25-year-old won't be playing in front of his home crowd in Washington unless he earns enough love to win MLB's Final Vote.
Andrelton Simmons, Angels
| PA | H | RBI | AVG | DRS | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325 | 91 | 39 | .312 | +11 | .815 | 3.6 |
Simmons is arguably the best defensive player in the game, but he's not all glove. The 28-year-old is hitting for a career-high .312 average and .815 OPS, while getting on-base at a .373 clip. He's also struck out just 15 times in 292 at-bats. But, once again, Simba gets no All-Star honor, despite owning the eighth-highest WAR in MLB. He, like Turner, still has a shot at a nod via the Final Vote.
Jed Lowrie, Athletics
| PA | H | 2B | HR | RBI | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 384 | 100 | 25 | 16 | 62 | .864 | 3.2 |
One player who continues to be overlooked is on the verge of bettering his impressive season from a year ago. Lowrie has 100 hits (42 of the extra-base variety) and could surpass his 49 doubles from 2017 when he put fans in Oakland on notice. But Lowrie, who has never appeared in an All-Star Game, won't be given any kind of shot this season despite being one of the leaders on a surprisingly good Oakland Athletics team.
Blake Snell, Rays
| GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 116 | 12-4 | 2.09 | 1.03 | 132 |
How in the world does a pitcher lead his league in ERA and sit among MLB's leaders in opponent's batting average, WHIP, starts, and strikeouts get so overlooked for an All-Star appearance? Snell may get overshadowed by the Verlanders and Klubers of the AL while pitching his games in front of dreary audiences in Tampa, but this kid is good and should be pitching in the Midsummer Classic.
Max Muncy, Dodgers
| PA | H | HR | RBI | SLG | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 244 | 53 | 20 | 38 | .617 | 1.027 | 3.1 |
Muncy may not be qualified as a hitter, but come on. This guy reached the 20-home run mark quicker than any other player in Dodgers history - a franchise that's boasted legends like Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, and Gil Hodges. Muncy has been invaluable to the Dodgers, who wouldn't be near the top of the NL West standings without his out-of-nowhere campaign. He looks like the early favorite to win the Final Vote in the NL, but that shouldn't have been necessary in the first place.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)