Verdugo on All-Star snub: 'Person who went in shouldn't be there'

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo isn't thrilled about his omission from the All-Star Game amid a career season.

"I just feel like it's a fan popularity contest. And, like, the person who went in shouldn't be there," Verdugo said, according to Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe.

Verdugo wouldn't go so far as identifying what player he believes shouldn't be attending the Midsummer Classic.

"That's for me to know," the 27-year-old said when asked who he's referring to.

Verdugo entered Thursday's action with a .288/.357/.453 slash line to go along with six homers and 35 RBIs over 79 games this season. His 1.9 fWAR is 11th-best among outfielders in the American League.

Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, and Randy Arozarena were voted to start in the AL's outfield, while Luis Robert Jr., Yordan Alvarez, Austin Hays, and Adolis Garcia were named reserves. Kyle Tucker and Julio Rodriguez were picked to be replacements since Trout, Judge, and Alvarez are injured.