The 2014 MLB All-Star rosters were released on Sunday and it appears that there wasn’t a whole lot of controversy surrounding who was selected. There was some confusion over Jeff Samardzija and what would happen with him, but that’s about it.
Like every All-Star Game selection process, there were a few players left off the teams that resulted in plenty of head shaking. Let’s check in on five MLB All-Star Game snubs.
Evan Gattis, Catcher, Atlanta Braves
Gattis is hitting .290 with 16 homers and 39 RBI’s on the season. He’s been one of the most consistent hitters for a first-place Braves team that needed him to step up after letting Brian McCann walk in free agency.
It’s tough because the National League had a ton of solid catchers in the first half of the season. Devin Mesoraco of the Cincinnati Reds made it with a .307 average and 15 homers. One of the biggest surprises, Jonathan Lucroy of the Milwaukee Brewers, also deservingly made the team.
Ian Kinsler, Second Base, Detroit Tigers
Perhaps the biggest snub of them all: Ian Kinsler. He has a 3.8 fWAR, which is the third-best mark in the AL. #Tigers
— Beyond the Box Score (@BtBScore) July 7, 2014
There is absolutely no legitimate conclusion to be drawn that Kinsler shouldn’t have made the AL team. He’s hitting .306 with a ridiculous 60 runs scored and continues to show why Detroit got the best if the Prince Fielder deal. Starting AL second baseman Robinson Cano was definitely deserving of a spot, as was Houston Astros infielder Jose Altuve, who is hitting .338 on the year. Again, it was nothing more than a numbers game here.
Henderson Alvarez, Starting Pitcher, Miami Marlins
With Jose Fernandez sidelined for the season, Alvarez has taken over as the ace for a surprising Marlins team. He is 6-3 with a ridiculous 2.27 ERA in 18 starts for the Marlins this year. Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants made the team with a 9-6 record and 3.09 ERA. So did Tyson Ross of the San Diego Padres, who is currently one game under .500 with a comparable 2.93 ERA. Alvarez could have easily made the team over each of these starters.
Sonny Gray, Starting Pitcher, Oakland Athletics
RECAP: @SonnyGray2 tosses 7 strong innings as #Athletics top Blue Jays: http://t.co/XNmiWKdgi2 #GreenCollar pic.twitter.com/Nqa2EedwNQ
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 4, 2014
If you count Jeff Samardzija, the A’s had seven players make the All-Star Game. Considering that every team has to be represented, it’s hard to conclude that another player should have made it from a team with the best record in baseball. With that said, Gray was definitely worthy of a selection. He is 8-3 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in the season. While Gray has struggled a tad recently, he’s easily one of the best starters in the American League.
While Gray was held off the roster, David Price got the nod based off name recognition. Despite a ridiculous strikeout-to-walk ratio, Price is 7-7 with a 3.50 ERA on the season. You can’t tell me that he’s been a better pitcher than Gray in the first half of the season.
Huston Street, Closer, San Diego Padres
How can a closer with a 1.13 ERA and 0.78 WHIP not make the All-Star team? That’s what Street has to be asking himself right about now. The veteran closer has also convered 23 of a possible 24 save opportunities on the season.
Photo: USA Today