MLB All Star Roster Snubs
The picks are in and the 2012 MLB All-Star rosters are set. There were some surprises and some smart choices, but we already know who made the roster. As a die-hard baseball fan, isn’t more fun to debate about who wasn’t included on the All-Star rosters? Let me then introduce the 2012 MLB All Star snub roster. A mix of both American League and National League players who deserve a spot, but were somehow left off the roster.
Catcher – A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox: One of the most polarizing players in Major League Baseball today, you can’t disagree that Pierzynski deserves a spot on the American League roster. Pierzynski is hitting a respectable .285 and leads all AL catchers with 45 RBI’s. Those are some pretty tight numbers to deserve a spot.
First Base – Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays: No matter what league you play for, first base is the most stacked position anywhere. But Encarnacion has taken over a foreign position and is on pace to break his all-time high stat numbers.
Second Base – Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds: The National League second base backup job was a tight race with many great players in the league this year. But by hitting .288 and having three gold gloves to his name, Phillips definitely deserves a spot.
Shortstop – Alcides Escobar, Kansas City Royals: Hitting .309 is pretty respectable, but clocking 19 doubles and being a great fielder is enough for Escobar to make the team.
Third base – David Wright, New York Mets: Although he did make the team, it is an absolute shame David Wright is not the starting third baseman for the NL. Wright is putting up MVP numbers and leads all MLB third baseman in average, doubles and walks. He may not have been elected a starter, but Wright might have some hardware at season’s end.
Outfield – Josh Reddick, Oakland Athletics: With such a large park, playing in Oakland is no fun for any hitter. But Josh Reddick hasn’t felt that way as he has clubbed 18 homers and has a .517 slugging percentage to boot.
Pitcher – Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox: Although his win-loss record does not show it (6-5) Peavy has regained his former Cy Young dominance. Boasting a 2.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and throwing 101 strikeouts, Peavy leads the majors with four complete games and looks to silence his critics.
Don’t get me wrong there are definitely some deserving players on this year’s All-Star rosters. I am just giving you a different look at players that might not have been seen by the regular masses.