Chipper Jones or Michael Bourn: Who Deserves Final MLB All-Star Spot?

Major League Baseball announced its 2012 All-Star Game rosters Sunday, raising the eyebrows of many.

For the Atlanta Braves, two players were selected—second baseman Dan Uggla and closer Craig Kimbrell (via the Atlanta-Journal Constitution).

Left off the roster, however, are third baseman Chipper Jones and outfielder Michael Bourn. But, they can still be on the roster if a player at their position pulls out of the festivities or one of them wins the final fan vote that runs through Thursday.

So, where do Braves' fans go with their vote?

Jones is in his final year before retirement, and he has a decent year outside of his trips to the disabled list. He's hitting .291 with six home runs, 28 RBI and a .372 on-base percentage.

Bourn is is hitting .307 with seven home runs, 29 RBI, a .355 on-base percentage, 100 hits and 22 stolen bases and he has been a spark plug at the top of the Braves' order. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that had the team not had Bourn, they'd be where the Phillies are in the National League East.

Outside of Jones and Bourn, also in the running for the final spot is St. Louis third baseman David Freese, Washington rookie phenom Bryce Harper and Arizona second baseman Aaron Hill (via the Washington Post).

According to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, Harper knows who he'd vote for:

"

 

"

Harper: "I think a Hall of Famer should be able to go to the All-Star game his last year. If I was going to vote, I’d go vote for Chip."

— Amanda Comak (@acomak) July 1, 2012"

"

I know some people are going to hate me, but I'm voting for Bourn.

I understand it's Jones' last year, and I can understand Harper's remarks out of respect for the future Hall of Famer.

But Bourn has earned a spot on the team.He's had a better year than Jones, and he has meant more at the top of the lineup than Jones has meant where he's hitting.

And, unless someone like the Dodgers' Matt Kemp (who's currently on the DL, but will participate in the Home Run Derby) decides to pull out of the All-Star game, then it looks like it's going to come down to Harper and Jones. I believe Bourn will be on the outside looking in on Thursday.

It's a shame that it's come down to this—I believe there are some guys on the team that don't deserve to be there. But it is what it is, and as long as at least Jones makes the team, then I'll be happy.

However, I will continue to think that Bourn should be there and will remain unhappy as we continue to use a system that is more about popularity than about actual stats.