Even with rosters expanded to 34 players for each league, there will always be worthy candidates left out of the MLB All-Star game.
We examined both the wise choices and the notable absences from this year’s game, and here are a few that stand out.
Snubs
3. Trevor Bauer/Josh Tomlin
During the month of June, the red-hot Indians had the best team ERA in baseball. Primarily responsible was the duo that has combined for 16 victories (to just three defeats). In all fairness to Ned Yost, so many talented pitchers on the AL side (including Bauer and Tomlin’s teammate Danny Salazar) meant some were going to get sqeezed out.
2. Ian Kinsler
Normally, it’s the players vying to break through that have the toughest time getting noticed. Kinsler has been an All-Star on four occasions — and it should be five. With 16 homers and 52 runs batted in, he’s on pace for one of his best offensive seasons in years. An .843 OPS is his best since 2008 (the first time he was an All-Star).
1. Gregory Polanco
Considering Andrew McCutchen’s below-average season, there hasn’t been a more valuable contributor to the Pirates — sporting a 2.5 WAR (wins above replacement), an .895 OPS, 24 doubles and 12 home runs. Unfortunately, it appears he’s been deemed expendable when it comes to the NL roster — as he didn’t even make the Final Vote (while teammate Starling Marte did).
Smart picks
3. A.J. Ramos
Even with the recent acquisition of Fernando Rodney, there’s no reason to take Ramos out of the closer’s role in Miami. Some hiccups over the past week — including his first blown save of 2016 — didn’t discourage Terry Collins from wisely taking a guy he’s seen plenty of in the NL East.
2. Will Harris
Relief pitchers are the forgotten souls of All-Star choices. So often, a bullpen stud is easily left off the roster. Luckily, Harris wasn’t. In 37 appearances for the Astros, he has otherworldly ERA and WHIP numbers (0.72 and 0.88, respectively).
1. Jonathan Lucroy
Combining veteran leadership and a solid bat, Lucroy is a prime trade deadline target. For now, he’ll serve as a quality backup to Buster Posey on the National League team. Lucroy’s batting average continues to hover around .300, along with ten homers and 16 doubles.