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All-Star Game: Colorado Rockies Kyle Freeland is an NL Snub

By Paul Ashley

WASHINGTON, D.C. - APRIL 5: Detail view of All-Star Game signage outside the ballpark prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Thursday, April 5, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - APRIL 5: Detail view of All-Star Game signage outside the ballpark prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Thursday, April 5, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Rockies had three players selected to the 2018 MLB All-Star game, but they should have had at least one more in Kyle Freeland.

Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, and Trevor Story were selected to represent the Colorado Rockies, but Kyle Freeland should be going to Washington D.C. with them.

Freeland is having a great sophomore season as a starting pitcher for the Rockies.  The hometown kid is 8-6 in 18 starts with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.  He ranks 9th in the National League in ERA and 13th in WHIP.  He also ranks 7th in the NL in innings pitched.

Over his last 12 starts, Freeland is 7-2 with a 2.71 ERA.

A lot of people discount the Rockies offensive numbers due to playing their home games at altitude.  Because of this, if a Rockies pitcher does well at altitude, they should be held in a higher regard.

Freeland is actually more effective at home this season than he is on the road.  In 7 home starts, he holds a 2.89 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.  In 11 road starts, he holds a 3.38 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.

Even though Freeland is a National League pitcher, he was unlucky in having a road start against the Texas Rangers in yet another offensive friendly park.  In that game, on June 16th of this season, he pitched 7 innings while only allowing 2 earned runs.  The known-for-offense parks do not alter Freeland’s effectiveness.

If Freeland should be in, who should be out?

I usually do not like to claim that someone is an All-Star snub.  This is because there are only so many spots available for an entire league full of great players.

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However, if I had to choose someone who should not have been selected over Freeland, I would choose Felipe Vazquez of the Pirates.

Vazquez is 3-2 on the season with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  Although he has 19 saves, he has given up 17 walks and 34 hits in 38.1 innings pitched.

Nonetheless, the MLB requires that all 30 teams need to have a representative in the All-Star game.  Between Vazquez being the only Pittsburgh Pirates player selected and the overall phenomenal pitching in the National League, Freeland is unfortunately out of luck this season.

Next: All-time AL All-Star team

So what do you think? Should Freeland be representing the Colorado Rockies in the All-Star game? Comment below!

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