2013 MLB All-Star Game: The National League’s Biggest Roster Snubs

Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals

Jun 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller (40) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at O.Co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals can’t send everyone, as Adam Wainwright, Allen Craig, Matt Carpenter, Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina will represent the Cards on July 16.

Meanwhile, the rookie will be left off the roster, but not for a lack of effort.

Shelby Miller has been fantastic in his rookie season, one that may have ticketed for the Rookie of the Year award. His 2.2 WAR, after all, leads all rookie pitchers and hitters.

It’s not just his rookie class where Miller is superior, though, and the rest of the NL can vouch. He’s sixth in the league in FIP (Fielding Independent Percentage), third in K/9 and 11th in ERA.

Miller’s All-Star case is a bit skewed by the fact that the Cardinals coaching staff is taking baby steps with his workload. He’s logged 99.2 innings, which is only the 36th-most in the NL, and close to 40 innings less than Clayton Kershaw, who leads the NL with 138.1. If the innings count is the reason for Miller’s snub, then it’s justifiable.

However, Jeff Locke was selected with 102 innings, and Miller has a better FIP and better K/9 (the Pirates aren’t starved for All-Stars). Another rookie sensation, Jose Fernandez, has pitched just 98.2 innings, and Miller has a better FIP and K/9 rate.

Miller was indeed snubbed. That becomes clear when he’s stacked up with Lock and Fernandez. But the game can’t be dominated by Cardinals (The Miami Marlins have to have a representative too. Hence, Fernandez). And in this case, the phrase “he has plenty more in his future” applies.