MLB All Star Game Selections

Yesterday, the final selections for the Major League All Star Game were selected, and, as to be expected, there were some surprising snubs. Some of the biggest snubs that I saw were:

Mark Teixeira ,1B, Yankees: The switch hitting first baseman is having a strong season, with 25 HR's and 65 RBI already. He has hit .312 this season with men on base, and he has been a significant driving force for the Yankees offense this season. However, a strong season by the fan picked Prince Fielder has left Teixeira on the outside looking in this year.

CC Sabathia ,P, Yankees: Several Yankees made the All Star team this year, but the obvious snub on that team was Sabathia. The Yankee ace was the first pitcher to 11 wins this season, posting a 3.05 ERA and a team leading 106 strikeouts. He has also amassed a 1.21 WHIP.

Sam Fuld ,OF, Tampa Bay Rays: I may be one of the few people touting Fuld this year, but I'm going to be honest; I've never seen one person on Sportscenter's top plays more often than Fuld has been this season. His offensive numbers are lackluster, but his defense in that outfield this year has been ridiculous. This guy was a cast off from the Cubs, but has won a starting position for the Rays and has proven himself this year.

Craig Kimbrel, CP, Braves: Kimbrel has been a shutdown closer this year, with 24 saves and 67 strikeouts this year, an insane number for a closer considering that leads fellow teammate and SP Jair Jurrjens (63 SO's), an 11 game winner. He posts a 1.12 WHIP as well.

Andrew McCutchen,CF, Pirates: McCutchen is an unusual player in baseball. He has become known for his unique mix of blazing speed and power hitting. He's having a better season from a standpoint of batting average, OBP, slugging percentage and steals than OF Carlos Beltran, however manager Bruce Bochy selected Beltran.


A few bones to pick:

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees: Having a quality year at 2nd base, though he is hardly the best 2nd baseman in the AL. Also, committed two late inning errors in the Mets-Yankees game after being selected for the team. Not a good thing to see out of an ASG selection.

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: I know. I know. By saying Jeter doesn't belong on the All Star team i'm probably not making many friends. Jeter, however, is not playing his best baseball. Before his injury, his stat splits were already below those of his career averages, and his production is not what it used to be. Another statistic, the Yankees are 13-3 without Jeter, as his replacement, Nunez, has pulled his own wait. With all of the questions about what Jeter's role will be when his injury heals, I don't see why he ca be a good selection for the ASG.

Michael Cuddyer, OF, Twins:  Look, I'm all for representing all the teams in the MLB, however, I can't think of a guy on that team worth a roster spot this year. Its no secret that the Twin's are not very good this year, but Cuddyer's stat line (11 HR, 16 Doubles, .289 AVg, .357 OBP, 34 RBI and 7 SB) is fairly average. And for that line to be an All Star, without Cuddyer being a shutdown defensive force, makes me think another guy deserves the spot.

Anyways, those are my snubs and my nubs. I'm looking forward to the All Star game, it should be a good one.