Fansided

MLB All-Star Game: 5 more snubs from the rosters

By Noah Yingling |
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 23: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 23, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Our colleague John Buhler at our parent site FanSided had an article last night after the rosters were announced for the MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles that will take place next week.

He had his list of the five biggest snubs but there are plenty of more snubs from the roster so here is our list of five more snubs from the rosters.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith

This current era of catchers are not a very good hitting bunch. In fact, only seven teams entered Sunday with a wRC+ above 100, or offensive production above league average, at the catching position.

In other words, when there’s a catcher having a good offensive season, that catcher is usually going to be on the team. When that catcher plays for the team that is hosting the game, it is even more surprising. That’s what makes Will Smith’s omission so surprising.

Entering Sunday, Smith was hitting .258/.351/.452 in 71 games with 13 home runs and 40 RBI. His 129 wRC+ was the third-highest among catchers in all of baseball with at least 200 plate appearances and second-highest among NL catchers with at 200 plate appearances.

As with all of these players, Smith very well could make the team as an injury replacement or (for pitchers) as a replacement for someone who makes a start on Sunday but it was a bit surprising to not see Will Smith among the reserve players on the National League All-Star roster.

Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has been one of the best starting pitchers in the sport to start the 2022 season, despite not getting much run support or having the bullpen blow games for him.

He has a 6-6 record with a 2.86 ERA, which is 9th in the American League. In 88 innings, he has allowed just two home runs, for an average of just 0.2 home runs per nine innings, which leads the sport. He is also averaging just 1.6 walks in comparison to 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Furthermore, his FIP is 1.67 (further suggesting bad luck so far), which is best in the majors. His fWAR is also 3.7, which is the best in the American League among starting pitchers and tied for the best in the sport.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola

Like Kevin Gausman, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola has had a lot of bad luck to start the 2022 season, as the Phillies have scored four runs or less in 11 of his 17 starts, leading to his losing record of 5-6.

Entering Sunday, he had 111.1 innings pitched, which was the second-highest in the majors for an average of 6 2/3 innings per start. His 3.15 ERA was tied for 13th in the NL but his 2.91 FIP is fifth in the league. He is also leading the NL in walk rate at just 1.2 BB/9 and he’s striking out 9.7 batters per nine innings as well.

Brandon Drury, Cincinnati Reds, MLB All-Star Game
Brandon Drury, Cincinnati Reds, MLB All-Star Game /

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Drury

In his first seven seasons in the majors, Brandon Drury struggled at the plate or struggled with injuries. However, he has put it all together with the Cincinnati Reds this season.

Entering Sunday, he had played in 75 games and he was hitting .278/.335/.542 with an OPS+ of 132. He also had 18 home runs and 50 RBI, which are eighth and tied for 11th in the National League.

The issue for him is that there’s a lot of other good third basemen in the National League. Manny Machado has a good case for the NL MVP award and Nolan Arenado and Austin Riley are having great seasons for teams that are playing better than the Reds are.

Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France

Of all of the players left off the MLB All-Star Game rosters, the omission of Seattle Mariners’ first baseman Ty France might be the most egregious.

Entering Sunday, he had played in 73 games and he was hitting .310/.384/.467 with a wRC+ of 150. The batting average and on-base percentage were fifth and eighth in the league and his wRC+ was eighth-highest. He also had 10 home runs, 45 RBI, and 15 doubles.

His 2.1 rWAR is third in the American League among first basemen.

2022 MLB All-Star Game: Starters according to fWAR. dark. Next

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