As the MLB half season passes its halfway mark, the highly anticipated All-Star game will commence on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Also known as the Midsummer Classic, the tournament will be in it's 95th edition. It will be the first time that Atlanta hosts the All-Star game since 2000.
5 star players missing from the All-Star game
With the event as prestigious as the All-Star game, one might think that the league has perfected the processes upon which the spectacle was built. However, the only point of debate during the All-Star game is the players selection amongst the teams, players and the fans.
One recent instance where a player bashed out at the process of the selection was none other than New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo. His recent interview with the New York Post, he went all out at how the players are selected during the All-Star game.
The process is broken, said Nimmo. I don't think every team should get a person. It's supposed to be All-Stars. It's not supposed to be, 'Who is the best player on every team?' It's supposed to be, 'Who are the best players in the major leagues?'
With at least one player representing each team in the event, several star players have been left out of this year's edition.
5 players missing the All-Star game
1. Juan Soto, New York Mets
The most expensive player in the history of the sport has been left out of this years All-Star game. His early struggles at the start of the season with the Mets was the reason behind his omission. He became the first player in MLB history to notch 20 homers, 15 doubles, 10 stolen bases and 70 walks to not make it to the Midsummer Classic.
However, in the first three months of the season, Soto recorded .231/.357/.413 slash line with nine home runs and 27 RBIs.
2. Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
Cody Bellinger is the other player who sees his name on this list and his case is also same as Soto. The former National League MVP was off to a great start in his maiden season with the Yankees with a .282 batting average, .830 OPS, 16 homer and 54 RBIs.
With inclusions such as Steven Kwan and Javier Baez on the team, who have provided less fWAR than Bellinger has, there is a debate lurking in the dark about his snub.
3. George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays
One of the biggest snubs of this year's All-Star game is Blue Jays star George Springer. The two-time Silver Slugger could have been used in the outfield or as a designated hitter, but he was not chosen.
He holds that fourth best OPS amongst all qualified American League outfielders at .856 and had better numbers than Kwan, Baez, Julio, Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena.
4. Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
Trea Turner leads all National League shortstops in fWAR at 2.8. He also posted .291/.344/.436 batting line with 11 home runs, 40 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. He still did not get the nod as Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz were selected ahead of him.
5. Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
Another notable snub from the All-Star game is Cristopher Sanchez. After MLB announced that Philly ace Zack Wheeler will be replaced by Brewers phenom Jacob Misioroski for the event, eyebrows were raised as to why the league gave the chance to start a player with only five career starts under his name.
Sanchez is having a terrific year for the Phillies as he has a 7-2 record, 2.59 ERA, 116 punch outs and a National League third best fWAR for hurlers just behind Paul Skenes and his teammate Wheeler.