MLB: The 25 best MLB players never to make an All-Star game

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: Mayor Muriel Bowser and MLB Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred unveil the logo for the 2018 All Star Game that will be held at Nationals Park next year before the start of the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers game on July 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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Best players to never make an MLB All-Star roster: 9. Mike Adams

Stat:

2.41 ERA
409 strikeouts

What more do you want from a relief pitcher? There’s no denying that Mike Adams had a rough few years in the big leagues. His ERA ballooned to an unheard of 11.57 in 2005 before he ultimately settled in and began dominating the competition.

While the Milwaukee Brewers decided to move away from him, the San Diego Padres took a chance. By all accounts, things couldn’t have worked out better. Adams produced the best seasons of his career in year one, pumping out a 2.48 ERA. That though, would be nothing compared to what he had up his sleeves for the following season. In 2009, batters would essentially walk up to the box despondent. Simply put, they knew three strikes were coming fast and there was nothing they could do about it. Adams ERA sank to a ridiculous 0.73. He then followed that up with a 1.76 ERA in 2010.

Still, regardless of the numbers, being named an All-Star was essentially a pipe dream as the Padres floundered around in mediocrity for most of his time there. Although other pitchers such as Tyler Clippard were taken ahead of him in the big games, Adams continued to dominate until his latter years in the league.

There’s no denying that winning should always be heavily counted in making All-Star selections but an ERA of 0.73? An exception should have been made.

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