2012 MLB All-Star Snubs: Picking All 30 Teams' Worst All-Star Snub

Well, the announcements have been made, and for the most part, we know who will be representing their respective leagues in the All-Star Game to be held next week.

Other than the Final Vote campaign where fans can elect the 34th member of each team and the announcement of a few injury replacements, the All-Star rosters are set in stone.

While everyone who was selected is certainly deserving, there are a number of players who are having outstanding seasons that have a legitimate gripe as to why they were not included.

Some of those snubbed are injured and unable to participate, but that didn't stop the fans from voting the Dodgers' Matt Kemp as a starter or Ron Washington, the manager of the AL squad, from selecting the Yankees' CC Sabathia, currently on the disabled list.

So it's not an excuse for not being selected.

Let's take a look at a player from each team who deserves to be a 2012 All-Star but isn't—at least not yet.

Please note, any player listed with an asterisk (*) next to their name was elected a starter by the fans.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Aaron Hill, 2B

2012 Stats: 74 G, .301/.362/.516, 11 HR, 38 RBI

Second among NL second basemen in batting average, trailing only Houston's Jose Altuve. He shares the lead for most home runs by a NL second baseman with Atlanta's Dan Uggla, and his five triples are more than any of his NL counterparts.

Hill can still be elected to the team via the Final Vote, where he is one of five candidates to be the 34th member of the NL team.

Diamondbacks' All-Stars: Wade Miley, SP

Atlanta Braves: Brandon Beachy, SP

2012 Stats: 13 GS, 5-5, 2.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 81 IP, 68 K, 8 QS

Arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the first half of the season, Atlanta's Brandon Beachy saw his season come to an end last month and is recovering from Tommy John surgery, unable to participate in the game.

That being said, a number of injured players (pitchers included) were named to the team, and you can't argue with selecting the major league leader in ERA by a starting pitcher.

You could also make strong cases for both outfielder Michael Bourn and super utility player Martin Prado. Bourn was selected as a finalist in the Final Vote.

Braves' All-Stars: Dan Uggla, 2B*, Craig Kimbrel, RP

Baltimore Orioles: Jason Hammel, SP

2012 Stats: 15 GS, 8-3, 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 93 IP, 89 K, 8 QS

Baltimore's most consistent starting pitcher, Jason Hammel's eight wins on the season put him in a tie with All-Stars Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver for eighth most in the AL.

Hammel was named one of the five finalists in the Final Vote campaign.

Orioles' All-Stars: Jim Johnson, CL, Adam Jones, OF, Matt Wieters, C

Boston Red Sox: Will Middlebrooks, 3B

2012 Stats: 47 G, .304/.337/.548, 10 HR, 37 RBI

His 10 home runs and 37 RBI lead all AL rookies and place him sixth and fifth among AL third baseman, respectively, while his .304 average ranks fifth at the hot corner.

Red Sox' All-Stars: David Ortiz, DH*

Chicago Cubs: Ryan Dempster, SP

2012 Stats: 12 GS, 3-3, 2.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 81 IP, 66 K

Dempster trails only Atlanta's Brandon Beachy in ERA among starting pitchers in not only the NL, but in all of baseball.

Currently on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his right lat, Dempster deserved the honor of being named an All-Star even though he is unable to participate.

Cubs All-Stars: Starlin Castro, SS, 1B/OF, Bryan LaHair

Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy, SP

2012 Stats: 16 GS, 6-5, 2.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 112.2 IP, 101 K, 13 QS

Sixth in the AL in both ERA and strikeouts, Jake Peavy has been as big a part as anyone in Chicago's early-season success in 2012. He leads the White Sox in nearly every pitching category, including ERA, strikeouts and quality starts.

Peavy still has a chance to be voted onto the team as one of five eligible AL players in the Final Vote.

White Sox' All-Stars: Paul Konerko, 1B, Chris Sale, SP, Adam Dunn DH/OF

Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Cueto, SP

2012 Stats: 16 GS, 9-4, 2.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 107.2 IP, 79 K, 13 QS

The omission of Johnny Cueto is just ridiculous.

One of the National League's most dominating starting pitchers over the first three months of the season, Cueto ranks among the league leaders in wins, ERA and innings pitched.

Reds' All-Stars: Joey Votto, 1B*, Aroldis Chapman, RP, Jay Bruce, OF

Cleveland Indians: Jason Kipnis, 2B

2012 Stats: 47 G, .275/.335/.426, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 19-for-20 SB

I understand that Ian Kinsler is AL Manager Ron Washington's regular second baseman in Texas, but Cleveland's Jason Kipnis is having the better season and deserved to back up the Yankees' Robinson Cano.

Kipnis trails Kinsler for second in batting average, .276 to .275, and his 11 home runs and 46 RBI are second only to Cano among AL second basemen.

Indians' All-Stars: Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Chris Perez, RP

Colorado Rockies: Dexter Fowler, OF

2012 Stats: 73 G, .286/.381/.536, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 7-for-8 SB

It's a weak argument, but you could make a case for Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler, whose .381 on-base percentage ranks eighth among NL outfielders.

Like I said, it's a weak argument.

Rockies' All-Stars: Carlos Gonzalez, OF

Detroit Tigers: Austin Jackson, OF

2012 Stats: 56 G, .326/.408/.537, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 7-for-9 SB

Arguably the best defensive centerfielder in the AL, Austin Jackson leads the Tigers in both batting average and on-base percentage, numbers that place him second and first among AL outfielders.

Regardless of position, Jackson sits fourth in the race for the AL Batting Crown, and his .408 on-base percentage places him third in the league and sixth in all of baseball.

Tigers' All-Stars: Prince Fielder, 1B*, Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Justin Verlander, SP

Houston Astros: Jed Lowrie, SS

2012 Stats: 70 G, .261/.347/.486, 14 HR, 33 RBI, 2-for-2 SB

While his defense is suspect, Jed Lowrie has hit more home runs than any other shortstop in baseball, while his 33 RBI ranks sixth. In the NL, he trails only Washington's first-time All-Star Ian Desmond in the RBI category among shortstops.

Astros' All-Stars: Jose Altuve, 2B

Kansas City Royals: Alcides Escobar, SS

2012 Stats: 74 G, .312/.351/.420, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 12-for-14 SB

One of three shortstops in baseball with a batting average of .300 or better, nobody has bested Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, who leads all shortstops with a .312 mark.

It's hard to argue against the three shortstops on the AL squad—Derek Jeter, Elvis Andrus and Asdrubal Cabrera—but Escobar deserved to be recognized for his season as well.

You could also make a strong case for Royals closer Jonathan Broxton, whose 20 saves are fourth in the AL and tied for sixth in all of baseball.

Royals' All-Stars: Billy Butler, DH

Los Angeles Angels: Ernesto Frieri, CL

2012 Stats: 23 G, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 23.1 IP, 40 K, 10 SV

Still able to be voted into the game by fans in the Final Vote campaign, it's an absolute joke that Frieri isn't on the team already.

As an Angel, he's yet to allow an earned run, has given up only six hits and his 15.43 K/9 ratio isn't just impressive, it's downright nasty.

He's in the running for the 34th spot on the AL squad in the Final Vote.

Angels' All-Stars: C.J. Wilson, SP, Jered Weaver, SP, Mike Trout, OF, Mark Trumbo, DH/OF

Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Capuano, SP

2012 Stats: 16 GS, 9-3, 2.69 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 100.1 IP, 89 K, 11 QS

Chris Capuano has been as good as, if not better, than his teammate and NL All-Star Clayton Kershaw through the first three months of the season.

His wins, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts all rank among the top 15 pitchers in the National League.

Strong cases could be made for closer Kenley Jansen and catcher A.J. Ellis as well.

Dodgers' All-Stars: Matt Kemp, OF*, Clayton Kershaw, SP

Miami Marlins: Omar Infante, 2B

2012 Stats: 69 G, .291/.314/.464, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 8-for-9 SB

Among NL second basemen, only Jose Altuve and Aaron Hill have higher batting averages than Omar Infante. Infante leads the Marlins in average and is third on the team in total bases, only trailing Giancarlo Stanton and Hanley Ramirez.

Marlins' All-Stars: Giancarlo Stanton, OF

Milwaukee Brewers: Zack Greinke, SP

2012 Stats: 16 GS, 9-2, 2.82 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 102 IP, 102 K, 12 QS

Being snubbed from the All-Star team isn't likely to affect the future earning power of Zack Greinke, who becomes a free agent following the season, but he's certainly worthy of a selection to the team.

One of the best pitchers in the game, there's really nothing to dislike about the season he's having for the Brewers. His 102 strikeouts rank seventh in the National League.

Brewers' All-Stars: Ryan Braun, OF

Minnesota Twins: Josh Willingham, OF/DH

2012 Stats: 74 G, .268/.381/.532, 16 HR, 52 RBI

Among the AL leaders in home runs and RBI, Josh Willingham is having a phenomenal season for the Minnesota Twins.

While he's lost in the shuffle among a number of higher-profile outfielders in the AL, his 52 RBI are tied with All-Star selections Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder for eighth in the AL.

Twins' All-Stars: Joe Mauer, C

New York Mets: Johan Santana, SP

2012 Stats: 16 GS, 6-4, 2.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 98 IP, 93 K, 10 QS

One half of a potent top of the Mets rotation, Johan Santana has come back with a vengeance in 2012, striking out nearly a batter an inning while finding his ERA and strikeout totals among the most in the NL.

A victim of no run support, it stands to argue that had the Mets hit behind him, he'd have double-digit wins on the season and a place on the All-Star team.

Mets' All-Stars: R.A. Dickey, SP, David Wright, 3B

New York Yankees: Rafael Soriano, RP

2012 Stats: 32 G, 2-0, 1.84 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 29.1 IP, 26 K, 17 SV

While his WHIP is incredibly high for an All-Star, there is no arguing that since taking over the ninth inning for the injured Mariano Rivera, Rafael Soriano has become one of the best closers in baseball yet again.

He is one of five closers in the AL with at least 10 saves and an ERA under 2.00.

Yankees' All-Stars: Robinson Cano, 2B*, Derek Jeter, SS*, Curtis Granderson, OF*, CC Sabathia, SP

Oakland Athletics: Josh Reddick, OF

2012 Stats: 76 G, .260/.342/.517, 18 HR, 39 RBI, 8-for-8 SB

Tenth in the AL in home runs, Josh Reddick's other stats are relatively unimpressive when it comes to All-Star consideration.

Yet on a team where you could make weak arguments for starting pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Jarrod Parker, Reddick has the strongest case for inclusion in the Midsummer Classic.

Athetics' All-Stars: Ryan Cook, RP

Philadelphia Phillies: Hunter Pence, OF

2012 Stats: 79 G, .286/.351/.498, 16 HR, 48 RBI, 4-for-6 SB

Hunter Pence leads Philadelphia in nearly every offensive category except for batting average, trailing only Carlos Ruiz, who continues to put together an incredible season at the plate.

His 16 home runs and 48 RBI rank among the National League leaders, regardless of position.

Phillies' All-Stars: Cole Hamels, SP, Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Carlos Ruiz, C

Pittsburgh Pirates: James McDonald, SP

2012 Stats: 15 G, 7-3, 2.44 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 96 IP, 86 K, 10 QS

Like Johnny Cueto in Cincinnati, it's an absolute travesty that James McDonald was left off of the NL All-Star team.

Among the league leaders in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts, McDonald has been an integral part in Pittsburgh's strong showing over the season's first three months.

Pirates' All-Stars: Joel Hanrahan, RP, Andrew McCutchen, OF

San Diego Padres: Chase Headley, 3B

2012 Stats: 78 G, .270/.368/.415, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 10-for-14 SB

You simply can't argue that Carlos Quentin belongs in the All-Star Game, as he's played in less than 30 games, so that leaves Chase Headley as the only Padre with a leg to stand on, though it's a shaky leg at best.

His average and RBI total put him among the top 10 third basemen in all of baseball, and his .368 on-base percentage trails only Miguel Cabrera, Evan Longoria, Chipper Jones and David Wright among all third basemen.

Padres' All-Stars: Huston Street, RP

San Francisco Giants: Madison Bumgarner, SP

2012 Stats: 16 GS, 10-4, 2.85 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 110.2 IP, 92 K, 10 QS

You could also make very strong cases for starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong and outfielder Angel Pagan, but it's Madison Bumgarner who has the biggest beef with being left off of the NL squad.

One of eight pitchers in baseball with at least 10 wins on the season, Bumgarner ranks among the NL leaders in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.

Giants' All-Stars: Buster Posey, C*, Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Melky Cabrera, OF*, Matt Cain, SP

Seattle Mariners: Kyle Seager, 3B

2012 Stats: 73 G, .252/.308/.442, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 7-for-9 SB

By far the weakest snub selection on this list, Mariners rookie third baseman Kyle Seager has put up decent numbers at the hot corner. His 10 home runs put him in a tie for 10th among all third basemen, and his 46 RBI land him in the fifth spot, third in the AL.

Mariners' All-Stars: Felix Hernandez, SP

St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Holliday, OF

2012 Stats: 75 G, .307/.389/.500, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 3-for-5 SB

Having the kind of season Cardinals fans have come to expect, Matt Holliday has been overlooked by his All-Star teammates Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina, who are both having fantastic seasons of their own.

He ranks among the league leaders in RBI, batting average and on-base percentage.

Cardinals' All-Stars: Rafael Furcal, SS*, Carlos Beltran, RF*, Lance Lynn, SP, Yadier Molina, C

Tampa Bay Rays: Nobody

2012 Stats: 75 G, .307/.389/.500, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 3-for-5 SB

Short of nominating a middle relief pitcher, which I've tried to avoid doing, David Price is truly the only All-Star worthy player on the Rays roster.

Third baseman Evan Longoria would obviously be the choice (and a likely All-Star selection anyway), but having played in only 23 games before getting injured, it's hard to make a case for him this season.

Rays' All-Stars: David Price, SP, Fernando Rodney, RP

Texas Rangers: Robbie Ross, RP

2012 Stats: 30 G, 6-0, 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 41.2 IP, 26 K, 4 Holds

Of course, after saying that I have tried to avoid middle relief pitchers, I go ahead and pick Robbie Ross from the Texas Rangers.

But Ross is having such an outstanding season that he deserves to be mentioned as an All-Star snub. His six wins on the season are more than any other reliever, and his ERA and WHIP lead all relief pitchers with at least 40 innings of work on the season.

Rangers' All-Stars: Mike Napoli, C*, Adrian Beltre, 3B*, Josh Hamilton, LF*, Matt Harrison, SP, Joe Nathan, CL, Elvis Andrus, SS, Ian Kinsler, 2B

Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/DH

2012 Stats: 75 G, .289/.365/.570, 22 HR, 55 RBI

One of the premier sluggers in baseball this season, Edwin Encarnacion is among the leaders in home runs and RBI in not only the AL, but all of baseball.

Encarnacion got such little recognition that he isn't even a candidate for the Final Vote campaign, which is shameful.

Blue Jays' All-Stars: Jose Bautista, RF*

Washington Nationals: Jordan Zimmerman, SP

2012 Stats: 15 GS, 4-6, 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 97.1 IP, 65 K, 13 QS

While you don't generally think of someone with a losing record as an All-Star, Jordan Zimmerman's stats surely make the case for him as a hard-luck loser.

Zimmerman, who has a lower ERA than his All-Star rotation mates, Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg, leads the Nationals pitching staff with 13 quality starts.

Nationals' All-Stars: Ian Desmond, SS, Gio Gonzalez, SP, Stephen Strasburg, SP