MLB All-Star Game Snubs: 8 Players who should have cracked the AL and NL Rosters

Overtime Heroics Editorial

695 days ago

With the MLB All-Star Game rosters announced every year, there will always be a player that fans feel is more deserving than some of the players named as All-Stars. But with only 32 spots on both the American and National League teams, there are plenty of players that were snubbed from the Midsummer Classic.

MLB All-Star Game Snubs

Chris Bassitt, SP, Athletics

In his 17 starts for Oakland, Bassitt has allowed more than two earned runs to cross the plate in just four of them. The strong outings from the Athletics arm lead to the sixth-best ERA in the American League. Pair that with the fact that Bassitt possesses the second most of wins in the AL, and Bassitt is one of the biggest snubs of the MLB All-Star Game this season.

Edwin Diaz, RP, Mets

Diaz has converted 18-of-19 save opportunities so far this season, which may not be in the top five for total saves, but the stat that makes Diaz a snub is the fact he has yet to give up a single home run this season. A batting average against him of .211 makes him one of the best relievers in the National League and for sure an MLB All-Star Game snub.

Yuli Gurriel, 1B, Astros

First base is a tough position to beat out with All-Stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Matt Olson in contention. But with a slash line of .319/.387/.490, Gurriel is more than deserving to join his four teammates out in Denver.

Manny Machado, 3B, Padres

15 home runs and a .488 slugging percentage along with one of the best fWAR in the National League make Machado in the conversation for All-Star third basemen. However, with superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. capturing the spotlight next to him, it is easy to lose how well Machado has been playing in the shuffle. But his hot bat with his trademark glove put him in the conversation as one of the biggest snubs in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.

Whit Merrifield, 2B, Royals

Stolen bases, hitting for contact, and walks are a lost art in today’s MLB. Whit Merrifield is trying to keep all that alive. Merrifield is the only player this season with over 20 stolen bases this season, and his 13.2% strikeout percentage is more than 10% lower than the MLB average of 23.8% this season. Add in an impressive .333 on-base percentage, and that makes the Royals star have an interesting case as an MLB All-Star Game snub.

Freddy Peralta, SP, Brewers

It is not a secret that the National League All-Star team is loaded with starting pitching, which of course means that there were going to be some snubs. Now between Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee is widely represented at this year’s MLB All-Star Game in Denver. But that does not mean another Milwaukee ace should be left off. An ERA of 2.23, 129 strikeouts, and Peralta’s batting average against is only behind Jacob deGrom. It is safe to say that the Brew Crew’s pitching staff should have at least three pitchers representing them.

Justin Turner, 3B, Dodgers

Turner has been on MLB All-Star Game snubs lists before, but for this year, the Dodgers big bat feels deserving of a spot on the NL roster. Only Yoan Moncada has a higher fWAR among All-Star snubs, and his .297/.389/.479 slash line shows that Turner has been red hot at the plate and flashing some leather while doing so. He is certainly an All-Star caliber player this season and joins a fellow NL West third baseman on the 2021 MLB All-Star Game snubs list.

Max Scherzer, SP, Nationals

Last but certainly not least, "Mad Max" is in the middle of an impressive 2021 campaign. Scherzer has been on seven straight All-Star teams since 2013, so a Scherzer snub will be surprising. With a K/9 of 12.12 and what would be a career-low in ERA with a 2.10, Scherzer deserves to be present in Denver.

The 2021 MLB All-Star Game is Full of Talent, but could have more…

With superstar names like Manny Machado and Max Scherzer getting snubbed, new faces will be on the scene in Denver. Injuries do occur and these names could see a late bid into Colorado, but this year’s list of snubs feels like some of the fans got it wrong.

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