Both the American League and National League squads have been selected for this year's All-Star rosters. It's time to take a look at this year's biggest All-Star snubs and see which deserving players will hopefully end up in San Diego as injury replacements or alternates.
It's important to note that I did not include any of the ten players included in the final voting process. But, there is a case that can be made for every single player on that ballot.
Gregory Polanco, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .292/.368/.512, 12 HR, 50 RBIs, 134 OPS +, 2.2 WAR
Gregory Polanco struggled during his first full season in the big leagues, batting just .256/.320/.381 with only nine home runs. The only reason why I say he "struggled" is because of how well he is doing this year. The 24-year-old Dominican is blossoming as one of the NL's best young players. We're just getting to the halfway mark of this season and already Polanco has surpassed last year's home runs total. Neither he nor his fellow outfielder Andrew McCutchen will be in San Diego. McCutchen will miss the All-Star game for the first time since 2010. McCutchen's absence in this year's All-Star game is more fitting than Polanco's. His performance this season has Pittsburgh fans--along with the entire American public--wondering what has happened to the former NL MVP.
Brandon Crawford, SS, San Francisco Giants
Season Stats: .270/.345/.426, 8 HR, 53 RBIs, 108 OPS+, 3.2 WAR
Brandon Crawford's numbers aren't superb, but his value as a defensive playmaker is. Crawford is third among all major league shortstops in WAR, trailing behind Dodgers' Corey Seager and the Indians' Francisco Lindor. Both Seager and Lindor will be traveling to San Diego as non-starters, but they will most likely see playing time. Crawford is a 2015 Gold Glove recipient and this season his production at the plate has helped the Giants sit six games ahead of the Dodgers at the top of the NL West. Crawford is among many other NL shortstops such as, Reds' Zack Cozart (.269/.321/.486) and Brewers Jonathon Villar (.290/.375/.478), two players whose numbers exceed Addison Russell's production this year (.242/.338/.416). #Snubbed.
Kyle Seager, 3B, Seattle Mariners
Season Stats: .277/.360/.519, 16 HR, 54 RBIs, 136 OPS+, 3.5 WAR
Seattle Mariner's third basemen Kyle Seager deserves a nod but is overshadowed by a booming crop of young talent at third base. Seager earned an All-Star spot two years with numbers lower than what he is producing currently. This year he is having the best offensive season so far of his six-year career. Seager is hitting a personal best of .277/.360/.525 with an OPS+ .855 and is on track to break the 26 home runs he hit last season.
It's hard to be a third baseman in the American League. The fans overwhelmingly voted Orioles third basemen Manny Machado to field the hot corner. It's hard to compete with defending AL MVP Josh Donaldson, who was chosen to be the AL's backup third basemen by the players. It's hard to compete with Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson who are two of the best hitters in major league baseball. Seager's excellent performance should count for something, but I'm afraid it's been left outside in Seattle with no umbrella.
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