One of the annual by-products of the release of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game roster is the list of lists of all-star snubs. And let’s not disappoint in 2022, so let’s look at the players who, despite compelling arguments for coming to Dodger Stadium, find themselves – at least at this point – finding themselves on the outside looking in.
Injury replacements might take some of the sting out if, say, a Bryce Harper, who is still listed as a NL starter at DH despite his injury, cannot compete. We know William Contreras will take his place as a starter, but there is one roster open.
Still, these are the players with the biggest problems on Sunday night.
American League
Ty France, Mariners
A wrist injury has hampered France a bit recently, but he’s back, cutting .306/.379/.460 this season with 15 doubles, 10 homers and 45 RBI in 74 games.
Anthony Rizzo, Yankees
The low batting average will put many off, but Rizzo is among the league leaders with 22 homers and 54 RBI while also being a key offensive force for baseball’s best team.
Corey Seager, Rangers
The .245 average and .317 baseline percentage are why he’s not on the team, but Seager has 19 homers.
Trevor Story, Red Sox
He’s far behind Seager on average and OBP, but Story has 55 runs home, 46 hits, 15 homers and 10 stolen bases.
JD Martinez, Red Sox
He’s nowhere near the power he used to have, but Martinez has reinvented himself as a batting average guy and is incredibly productive on the plate, hitting .312/.380/.486.
Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays
Through 16 starts, Gausman has a 2.86 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 88 innings.
Robbie Ray, Seamen
Ray has bounced back to ace form, but it was probably too late to be seriously considered. The workhorse leads the AL in innings and batters faced. In his last six starts, he has a .91 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings.
Logan Gilbert, seafarers
Hey we can still use records right? Gilbert is 10-3! He also has a 2.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 106 innings.
Dylan retires, White Sox
The walks must have done it. Cease leads the majors with 43 free passes allowed. He has also struck out 133 in 92 innings and has a 2.45 ERA (161 ERA+).
Michael King, Yankees
He’s just been so valuable to the Yankees in a multi-inning role, especially since they lost Chad Green for the year. In 20 games, King has played 46 1/3 innings and pitched with 62 strikeouts to a 2.33 ERA and .99 WHIP.
Bundesliga
Josh Bell, Nationals
It makes sense that the Nats would only have one player on the team. That player being Juan Soto makes sense. However, Bell hits .304/.386/.491 with 19 doubles, two triples, 12 homers, 47 RBI and 44 runs. He had a great case.
Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Part of the problem with Bell and Freeman was an overcrowded position, compounded by the Rockies needing a representative and CJ Cron being their top pick. However, Freddie Freeman is having another Freddie Freeman season where he is cutting .304/.381/.494 with 11 homers and 54 RBI. He’s been so important at the center of the Dodgers order as they’ve grappled with injuries and some disappointing performances.
Austin Riley, Braves
With 23 home runs and 56 RBI, he’s getting a .282, which is really high these days. Tough crowd, right?
Francisco Lindor, Mets
The .239/.316/.421 slash isn’t overly impressive, but Lindor was a counting stats monster with 15 homers, 60 RBI, 50 runs and nine steals.
Brandon Drury, Reds
I thought the Reds rep was Drury, but instead it was starting pitcher Luis Castillo. Drury is a 29-year-old journeyman hitting .277/.333/.540 with 18 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 50 RBI and 53 runs. It would have been a nice story.
Bryan Reynolds, Pirates
We’ll be hearing his name a lot as a trade candidate in the coming weeks. If the pirates end up killing him, some team will get a totally underrated star. A slow start was the culprit here but he was one of the better players in the league in June and July.
Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, Phillies
Nola has been one of the best workhorses in the league and has 111 1/3 innings to date. He’s hit 120 against 14 unintended walks with a 3.15 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Wheeler is 8-4 with a 2.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 95 innings. It’s a pair of aces for the Phillies, but both were ruled out here.
Carlos Rodón, Giants
In 17 starts, he has a 2.70 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 124 strikeouts against 32 walks in 100 innings. His 2.13 FIP leads the NL.