Boston Red Sox: Scott Atchison Deserves to Go to the All-Star Game

It's rare for a relief pitcher who isn't a closer—or even a setup man—to be on an All-Star roster, but Boston Red Sox reliever Scott Atchison is making a pretty good case for himself.

The Boston Red Sox got off to an awful start to the 2012 season, especially in the bullpen. In March and April, Boston held the league's worst bullpen ERA at 6.10. The 'pen accounted for three of Boston's loses, while blowing three of nine save opportunities.

As many know, May was a completely different story. The bullpen's overall numbers improved drastically, as did the team's overall success. Boston's 'pen then sat third in the majors, with a 2.15 ERA. From beginning to end, the contributors coming in relief throughout the month were virtually flawless, and that can be especially said for Scott Atchison.

Atchison has been incredible, pitching in 29.1 innings over 20 appearances. He's only allowed three earned runs the entire season, which gives him the seventh-best ERA among qualified relievers in all of baseball at 0.94. 

Another thing to consider is that he pitched 17 innings over 11 appearances in May and didn't allow one runner to score. He is only one of five relievers in May to have a perfect ERA.

He is tied for third among Red Sox pitchers in WAR with Josh Beckett, and only sits behind Felix Doubront and Jon Lester, all of whom are starting pitchers (via Baseball Reference).

Did I mention that the right-hander is 36 years old and is only set to make around half a million dollars this season? He's incredibly under-valued for the types of numbers he's putting up this year.

Thankfully for Atchison, he won't have to convince all of Red Sox Nation to vote for him countless times, since the American League coaching staff will be hand-selecting the pitchers traveling to Kansas City. That does, however, give him a better shot at making the mid-summer classic squad. Coaches have seen what Atchison has done this season and for that reason, he at least has a chance.

If Scott Atchison doesn't deserve to go to the All-Star Game, then I'm not sure who really does.