MLB Stock Up, Stock Down: Angels, Braves, De La Cruz and All-Star Game

Stock Down: MLB All-Star Game Snubs and voting process

In reality, we could write a book on what’s wrong with the All-Star Game voting process and snubs. We could actually write a yearly story on it. Once again this season, it’s front and center after the rosters were announced with some noticeable omissions.

Two of the noticeable omissions from next week’s game are Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres and Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays. I get it, Tatis started the season by finishing out his 80-game PED suspension, but once he’s been back in the San Diego lineup, he’s been a staple at the top of the order and he is strong in the analytics side of the game. He moved to the outfield after Xander Bogaerts took over the spot full-time and he has thrived defensively in the outfield. Could he be a byproduct of his suspension from the fans and players? Yes, of course, but if the goal is to get the best players there, then it’s an issue.

Another notable missing piece of the Midsummer Classic is Franco, who rates better in analytics than Whit Merrifield of the Toronto Blue Jays. Franco leads the American League in defensive WAR and has been big with the bat for manager Kevin Cash. If there is a last-minute replacement, Franco should be the first one selected. Nothing against Merrifield, but Franco has almost the same offensive numbers, but he is on a different level definitely.

This is where the All-Star voting process comes into play. It has turned into a popular vote in recent years and fanbases like the Blue Jays stuff the boxes and get their players to the game, even if they are better players more deserving. The process needs to be evaluated, something that people have been calling for in the past.