MLB All-Star Snubs

I finally understand why this All-Star Game is such a joke. Yes, the injustice that home-field advantage in the World Series is decided over an exhibition baseball game is bad. But, put that aside, the selection process is a joke.

The average baseball fan, no offense, is CLUELESS about selecting All-Star players. This isn't their fault, of course: there are just simply too many games, too many teams, too many players to keep track of every single statistic in every game over a season.

But seriously? Mike Napoli, who is hitting .238, is the STARTING all-star catcher for the American League? Give me a break. But instead of going all negative and saying, who is an All-Star and should not have been (other than the obvious, Napoli), let me list out those who are deserving and got snubbed.

1. Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays, DH, .289 AVG, 22 HR, 55 RBI, .936 OPS
He had a tough matchup at starting DH against fan-favorite Big Pappi, who is having a great year himself, but to leave him off the team completely is beyond me in favor of Adam Dunn is beyond me. I don't care how many homeruns you've hit, if your batting average is .210, you should not be an All-Star. He's been the best Blue Jay hitter this year by far (better than starting OF Jose Bautista) and those numbers speak for themselves.
2. Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians, 2B, .275 AVG, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 19 SB
Kipnis is one of the main reasons the Indians are in contention this year, albeit in a weak AL Central. But his team's record aside, Kipnis leads all AL-second basemen in RBI with 46 and steals.
3. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox, C, .285 AVG, 14 HR, 45 RBI
Sure, Pierzynski is not well-liked, but can you deny the production this guy has put up? Put his numbers next to Napoli's (.238, 12 HR, 30 RBI) and it's not even close.

As far as the Final Vote candidates, I'll take Michael Bourn of the Atlanta Braves in the NL (.307, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 22 steals) and Jake Peavy of the Chicago White Sox (6-5, 2.96 ERA, 4 CG, 101 K).