MLB All-Star Roster 2015: Top Snubs After Official Voting Results

Nothing tests democracy quite like an All-Star Game fan vote. Revealed on Sunday night, the MLB's starters feature a few glaring errors in judgment.

While the entire American League and National League rosters usually unveil on the same night, the league decided to separate the starters from the reserves, which will come out on Monday night. Here are the players locked into this year's Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati, courtesy of MLB Communications:

There are some choices—Bryce Harper, Paul Goldschmidt and Mike Trout—that the public couldn't possibly get wrong. Recent injuries to Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Cabrera also nullified the peoples' will.

Creating two different announcements spreads out the spectacle while giving the winning vote-getters an elevated platform. It also forces several players to spend another day hoping they get elected into a bench spot. 

These guys should have no trouble earning backup duties, but they deserved to celebrate on Sunday night.

Starting Snubs

Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

At least Omar Infante won't start. He led throughout the way despite his ugly .547 OPS, but justice partially prevailed with Jose Altuve rallying to seize second base.

Altuve winning avoids calamity, but he still stole Jason Kipnis' rightful spot. The Cleveland Indians second baseman leads the American League with a 4.8 fWAR, second in MLB behind Harper. Even with six homers to his name, he's slugging above .500 and besting Altuve in just about every category besides stolen bases:

Player	BA	OBP	SLG	HR	R	SB	WAR
Kipnis	.341	.419	.506	6	56	10	4.8
Altuve	.301	.344	.418	7	42	24	2.2

Not that Kipnis should need any campaigning, but Cleveland manager Terry Francona endorsed his star to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.

Many voters hit the ballot early and saw Altuve's .367 April average. Others simply might have remembered him hitting an AL-best .341 last year while Kipnis batted .240/.310/.330. Either way, everyone realized Altuve represented the far better alternative to Infante with a realistic chance of triumphing.

If Kipnis doesn't make the All-Star roster, there's no point of even acknowledging the honor's existence. 

Russell Martin, C, Toronto Blue Jays

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Among the Kansas City Royals ruling the voting, Salvador Perez has received a free pass from public scorn. Most of that stems from him not being as abysmal as Infante, but he can also thank a lagging overemphasis on batting average among casual observers.

His .263 average is fine, especially when coupled with 13 long balls. Yet he has a putrid .275 on-base percentage due to drawing only five walks in 284 plate appearances.

An All-Star starter shouldn't draw this type of reaction, via Grantland's Rany Jazayerli, upon earning a free pass: 

Russell Martin, meanwhile, is the complete package. In his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays, he's hitting .256/.345/.476 with a dozen homers and a 2.8 fWAR. 

On offense alone, Stephen Vogt represents the best option. Yet that feels like cheating since he has spent time away from the plate, and Martin's superior defense and pitch-framing give him the rightful edge. 

Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Not infiltrated by Royals, the National League's starting lineup looks much better on paper, especially with Todd Frazier climbing ahead of Matt Carpenter at third base. The only remaining gripe: Matt Holliday won despite not playing since June 8.

Before a right quad strain sent him to the disabled list, the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder hit .303/.417/.421 with three homers. Perhaps he merited votes cast in May, but his lack of power and defense should have ousted the sidelined 35-year-old.

While Stanton will miss the All-Star Game, Holliday plans to return in time to participate, according to MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch:

A few snubs can make the case for deserving a starting nod. Although his .234 average lags far behind Andrew McCutchen and A.J. Pollock, Joc Pederson more than makes up for it with a .372 on-base percentage, .504 slugging percentage and 20 homers.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark noted the significance of the newcomer's power outburst:

Pederson, whose presence compelled the Los Angeles Dodgers to trade Matt Kemp, has generated a team-high 3.5 fWAR. Along with his offensive output, he has provided a sizable defensive upgrade in center field.

Nori Aoki finished fourth among NL outfielders, but he is also injured. That likely will make McCutchen Stanton's replacement, forcing Pederson to joust for a reserve role. 

Note: Advanced stats are courtesy of FanGraphs.