Biggest MLB All Star Game Snubs

MLB All Star Weekend is almost upon us and with that comes All Star Game snubs. To be clear, I understand every team must receive an All-Star and while I’m happy for Shcharber that he gets to watch one of his players play it does lead to some players who are deserving not making it. For the sake of this article I will not be comparing snubs to players that are their teams sole representative. 

Without further ado and in no particular order let’s get into it.

Snub #1: Brandon Nimmo

All Star: Jackson Merrill

First off I would like to point out that I own both of these guys in fantasy this year so there is no bias at all. Now is Jackson Merrill a future star in this league? Absolutely. However, Brandon Nimmo was absolutely snubbed. 

Brandon Nimmo has Merrill beat in almost every category and not to mention has played a major role for the Mets’ resurgence back into the picture. He has Merrill beat by .049 in OPS and .047 in OBP which are pretty big margins. With Profar, Tatis and Suárez already in, I don't really understand Merrill making the All Star Game here. Merrill has had an incredible rookie season and has a very bright future, but those things should not matter when making a decision for the All Star Game. The MLB knows Merrill has superstar potential so they are capitalizing on the chance to market him which makes sense. However, it must be frustrating if you are Nimmo with 0 all star appearances and you are the victim of this. 

Snub #2: Christian Walker 

All Star : Pete Alonso 

Ok, that was enough of me talking good about the Mets, now back to reality. I want to point out, I do despise Christian Walker’s team maybe as much as the Mets (how did the Phillies lose two straight home games with the best home field advantage in baseball to an 84 win team). Both are besides the fact. This Christian Walker snub may go down as one of the worst in MLB History.

I mean I don’t understand the argument for Alonso at all and frankly haven’t even seen one person defend him. He was already going to be in Arlington for the Home Run Derby because he cares more about that event than his family and giving him an All Star Berth over Christian Walke, who has him beat in essentially every statistic is crazy. 

Snub #3: Kenley Jansen

All Star: Clay Holmes

I know Sam Stein will agree with me that Clay Holmes belongs nowhere near an All Star Game after how he’s pitched recently.

When looking at this picture it might look like Holmes is deserving but when you dive deeper it is simply not the case. In 6 less games and 4.2 less innings Jansen only has two less strikeouts and one less save. He’s also 18/19 in save opportunities vs Holmes’ 19/24 in save opportunities. Jansen has been far more dominant in his time so far this season and it is truly baffling seeing Holmes as an All Star. Especially after posting 8ER in his last 6.2IP and blowing a game against Jansen’s team on July 5th before the rosters were released. 

Snub #4: Brent Rooker

All Star: David Fry

First off I want to apologize to all my friends that ride and die with Cleveland sports. I love that city and their passion for sports. However, Brent Rooker was snubbed.

Is Brent Rooker on my fantasy team? Yes. Do I have an obsession with fantasy baseball? Yes. But Brent Rooker has turned in an extremely impressive season playing in a ballpark that averages less than 8,000 fans each home game. 

This may have been the toughest one so far and the only one where both guys genuinely deserve to be in the game, but Rooker putting up those numbers in an absolutely atrocious lineup says a lot.

He doesn’t have Josh Naylor, JoRam and Steve Kwan around him for support. He’s doing it alongside the likes of Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langliers. And by the way he just hit an RBI double while I was writing this. I know it’s hard to argue for a last place team to get two players over one of the best teams in baseball, but I just think Rooker deserves the trip to Arlington based on what he has achieved in the situation he’s been in.

Honorable Mention: Jake Irvin over Hunter Greene

Sorry to take another shot at the other side of Ohio, but this one seems a little off too. 

Tyler Glasnow is headed to the IL and Hunter Greene is set to replace him.  Another one that could’ve went either way, and I think the Nationals being in 4th place contributed to this a little bit, but Jake Irvin is having an outstanding season and wanted to give him his props.

Written by: Anthony Gambino