2011 MLB All-Star Voting: Jed Lowrie and Each Team's Biggest “Snub”
In just a few weeks, baseball fans around the nation (hell, around the WORLD) will tune into the highly anticipated Midsummer Classic. For all of the laymen out there, I'm talking about the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. This year's game will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, and will surely be a good one with the projected starters.
Yet, while some of the usual names like Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols are garnering tons of votes as always, there are many top players this season who aren't even getting the fans' consideration. Most notably, New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran will probably fail to make the team despite having a year that could garner him NL Comeback Player of the Year honors. The same goes for Jed Lowrie, who has been a soldier for the Red Sox all season long.
As a baseball fan, I'm here to give Beltran and the rest of the potential All-Star snubs their due respect.
Here are the biggest snub candidates from each MLB team. Hopefully, a surge in voting will occur and some will get the opportunity to go to Arizona.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryan Roberts, 3B
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With his crazy neck tattoo possibly striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers, Ryan Roberts seems to have finally broke out this season. In 62 games, he has a modest batting average of .262. Yet, he also has 10 homers and 30 RBI. The RBI total may seem low, but Roberts has been key in keeping the Diamondbacks in the NL West race.
He isn't even among the top five in voting at third base for the National League and considering how the game is being played in his home park, this could possibly be the biggest snub of all.
Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman, 1B
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Currently, this red-hot rookie is fifth among first basemen in terms of All-Star votes. The only problem is that he trails fourth-place Ryan Howard by a whopping 651,561. Given how he also trails names like Prince Fielder, Joey Votto and Albert Pujols, there is no way that Freeman will make the squad.
It's truly a shame because despite a slow start, Freeman has had a decent rookie campaign. In 69 games, he has batted .268 with seven homers and 27 RBI. The RBI total is low, but it makes more sense given how most of his hits are singles. He may not be an All-Star this year, but Freddie Freeman is sure to make tons of Midsummer Classic teams in the future.
Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones, OF
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Adam Jones is the lone bright spot on an anemic Baltimore offense, and I just have one question: Why isn't he a factor in All-Star voting? Seriously, he's not even in the top 15 among outfielders!
This is just unacceptable considering how he's batting .297 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI. He leads his team in batting average and RBI as well as OPS, and he can't even get votes. I understand that the Orioles are a bad team, but come on. Fans should give Jones his due respect as he already has to deal with the misfortune of being a good player on a bad team.
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Boston Red Sox: Jed Lowrie, SS
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Finding an All-Star snub for the Red Sox was quite hard to find. Most of their key players this season are doing just fine in terms of voting, so it's difficult to justify any one player on their roster being an All-Star snub. Then, I came across Jed Lowrie.
On paper, Lowrie is having an average year. He's batting .270 with three homers and 25 RBI and his clutch performance once Marco Scutaro started slumping has been instrumental in getting the Sox back atop the AL East. He's currently on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury and would probably miss the All-Star Game anyway, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Lowrie deserves his due credit for helping his team.
Chicago Cubs: Starlin Castro, SS
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Starlin Castro isn't even among the top five in NL shortstops in terms of votes, and that honestly sickens me. How can someone having a great season not get proper All-Star consideration? Let's look at the numbers.
Currently, Castro is batting .318 with two home runs and 35 RBI. Of his 95 hits on the season, 28 have been for extra bases. On top of that, he is easily the best fielding shortstop, not just in the National League, but in all of baseball.
Maybe it's for his lack of power or the fact that he's still just 21 years old, but there's no denying that Castro is amazing. Voters, I hate to say it, but you dropped the ball here.
Chicago White Sox: Carlos Quentin, OF
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Given how he and teammate Paul Konerko have pretty much carried the team's offense all season long, it's unfortunate that Carlos Quentin isn't getting any consideration in the middle of what's turning into a pretty decent comeback season.
After breaking out in 2008, Quentin dropped off the following two years. Over that stretch, he had 47 home runs and 143 RBI, but only hit .239. This year, however, he has turned it around. As of today, he is batting .260 with 17 home runs and 47 RBI.
I understand that his numbers don't exactly hold a candle to those of Konerko (.327 BA, 20 HR, 58 RBI), but Quentin should still get at least SOME All-Star consideration considering how he is the second half of that one-two punch that is the entirety of the White Sox offense. At least at this point.
Cincinnati Reds: Drew Stubbs, OF
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Drew Stubbs is possibly one of the most underrated outfielders in the game. He has the rare talent of being a leadoff man who can get on base and steal bases, but also smack the ball out of the park. Last season, he hit just .255, but hit 22 homers with 77 RBI and also had 30 steals.
This year, Stubbs is hitting .261 with 10 homers and 31 RBI, but is already well on track to set a new career high in steals; he already has 21 on the season. Given how he is responsible for setting up most of the Reds' run-scoring situations, Stubbs deserves to be an All-Star, albeit an unconventional one.
Cleveland Indians: Michael Brantley, OF
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Even though the Cleveland Indians have looked decent this year, their roster isn't exactly laden with players whose stats scream All-Star, with the exception of Asdrubal Cabrera. In looking at who hasn't been considered, Michael Brantley stood out to me. This is his first year as a full-time player and he's done a decent job.
As the primary leadoff man, Brantley is hitting .280 with five home runs and 28 RBI. He also has nine steals.
Brantley isn't the best outfielder by a long shot, but his contributions to his team's success this season deserve their due credit. If anything, he should be the final All-Star reserve.
Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton, 1B
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Last season, Todd Helton had one of the worst years of his career. A .323 career hitter, he only batted .256 with eight homers and 37 RBI in 2010. This year, he has bounced back.
As of now, Helton is batting .311 with nine home runs and 31 RBI. Barring a catastrophic injury, he will easily surpass last year's RBI mark. Those numbers are even more incredible considering how he will turn 38 later this year.
On stats alone, Helton can't exactly keep up with top first basemen like Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard. Still, given how he used to be one of the greats and considering his performance thus far, he deserves to have his name announced at Chase Field in July.
Detroit Tigers: Jhonny Peralta, SS
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After a 2010 campaign that saw him hit 15 home runs with 81 RBI, but just a .249 batting average, Jhonny Peralta has bounced back. Currently, he is hitting .303 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI. Want to know the messed up part? He's not even in the top five in voting and is trailing players like Derek Jeter, who is having a far less productive year.
Along with Miguel Cabrera, Peralta has basically shouldered the load in terms of Detroit's offense this year. Besides that, he has played stellar defense.
Combine Peralta's numbers with him being a positive clubhouse presence, and you have an epic All-Star snub.
Florida Marlins: Gaby Sanchez, 1B
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On the whole, Gaby Sanchez is having a great season. He's batting .304 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI and has been a bright spot for the slumping Florida Marlins, a team never a stranger to drama. Yet, the fact that he isn't a household name is preventing him from getting his due respect on the All-Star ballot and that makes me angry.
He's great with the bat and a good fielder, yet Sanchez still finishes behind bigger names like Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard. Given how he is currently on pace to finish the season with 27 taters and 98 RBI, this is an epic snub.
Houston Astros: Brett Wallace, 1B
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At this rate, it looks like Hunter Pence will represent the Houston Astros at the All-Star Game despite not even being among the top vote-getters. Still, while Pence is having a good season, it would be unfair to forget his teammate, first baseman Brett Wallace.
In his first full season, Wallace has answered the bell. He is not doing much with four home runs and 21 RBI, but his .303 batting average is respectable. Most of his hits are singles, but he is slowly and surely proving to be a force at the plate.
The fact that he isn't even getting any consideration is disappointing, but he'll probably become a perennial All-Star once his power comes around.
Kansas City Royals: Melky Cabrera, OF
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At long last, it appears that Melky Cabrera has finally broken out. This season, after signing a one-year deal with the Royals, he is batting .275 with nine home runs and 42 RBI. Defensively, Cabrera has proven to be one of the most underrated in the game as he continues to dazzle fans with some amazing catches as well as a cannon arm, as his seven outfield assists this season will show.
While teammate Jeff Francouer might be getting more press, Cabrera continues to fly under the radar like he has throughout his career. Given how he's actually doing better than Francouer, this is a big All-Star snub.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Mark Trumbo, 1B
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At the start of the season, it was expected that Mark Trumbo would just fill in at first base for Kendrys Morales until the big, power-hitting first baseman was ready to return from an injury suffered last season. Now that Morales is going to miss all of 2011, Trumbo has slowly become a top producer.
He's only batting .254, but his 12 home runs and 30 RBI suggest that he will become a top offensive force once he becomes more patient at the plate. He's only 25 and his ceiling is high, but the fact that he isn't even being considered for an All-Star appearance is disappointing.
The numbers aren't perfect, but the fact that he has been able to produce on this level while replacing a real power threat should not be ignored.
Los Angeles Dodgers: None
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Besides Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, both of whom will probably make the National League squad as reserves, I could not find one member of the Los Angeles Dodgers who was worthy of being called a snub candidate. No, I'm serious. Besides those two guys, there is not one man on offense who stands out to me.
Sorry, Dodger fans. On to the next slide.
Milwaukee Brewers: Jonathan Lucroy, C
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Jonathan Lucroy is currently fourth among NL catchers in terms of votes, but he hasn't even broken the million-vote mark. Here are the names he trails: Brian McCann, Yadier Molina and Buster Posey.
Given how Posey is going to be out for the season, Lucroy should at least make the NL squad as an emergency catcher. He is batting .265 with seven home runs and 32 RBI, modest numbers at first glance, but he has been a veritable force behind the plate as the Brewers continue to battle it out in the NL Central. Hopefully, he'll get his shot soon.
Minnesota Twins: Michael Cuddyer, 1B/OF
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To put it bluntly, the Twins' season has been a disaster. Catcher Joe Mauer missed significant time with a lower body injury, and first baseman Justin Morneau still is struggling to come back from a concussion. Yet, one man who has been a top contributor per usual is outfielder/first baseman Michael Cuddyer.
As of now, he is batting .280 with 10 home runs and 28 RBI. Given the rest of the team's output on offense, Cuddyer is easily the snub candidate here as he hasn't even been mentioned in terms of votes.
New York Mets: Carlos Beltran, OF
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This year is Carlos Beltran's contract year. His past two seasons were marred by injury and before the season started, experts said that he would have to perform well to remove the "washed up" tag. Beltran has done that and more.
Currently, he is batting .288 with 10 homers and 44 RBI—pretty impressive considering how his home stadium is Citi Field. Still, Beltran is just ninth among outfielders in terms of votes. Considering how he was once a fan favorite and is still proving to be a top producer at age 34, this is quite the snub in my book.
New York Yankees: None
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Call me a homer, but there are no legitimate All-Star snubs on the Yankees. If the All-Star Game were tomorrow, the Yankees would have five starters and one player who finished a very close second at his position. That being said, on to the next slide.
Oakland Athletics: Coco Crisp, OF
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I'll be honest here. The Oakland Athletics are never known for their offense, and thus their All-Star rep is usually a pitcher. However, Coco Crisp has been decent enough this season that he can be considered a snub.
Crisp is currently hitting .262 with just two home runs and 23 RBI, but let's not forget that he's the leadoff man and his job is to get on base and create opportunities. He has done just that with his 21 steals. He's currently on pace to end the season with 47 swipes and considering the team he's on, that's damn incredible.
Philadelphia Phillies: Shane Victorino, OF
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In terms of votes, Shane Victorino is barely over a million. Still, he is seventh among NL outfielders and the odds are that he won't make the team unless someone in front of him gets hurt.
On the season, he's batting .299 with eight homers and 29 RBI as he has been the leadoff man for much of the season. He only has 11 steals, but his .364 OBP allows us to put that stat aside.
Stats aside, though, Victorino is a talented outfielder. He works hard and plays hard each game and to see him not make this year's All-Star team would truly be a major league snub.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen, OF
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As the Pirates continue to wow fans with their improved play this year, Andrew McCutchen has been right in the middle of it as one of the team's top producers. He is currently batting .283 with 10 homers and 38 RBI and he has 14 steals as well.
In a nutshell, McCutchen is the ultimate five-tool player, and yet he has gotten no love from the fans this year regarding his spot on the ballot. He has a good shot at being Pittsburgh's representative at the All-Star Game but until that actually happens, I'm naming him as the team's snub for the year.
San Diego Padres: Ryan Ludwick, OF
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Picking a snub from the Padres proved to be tough as the team has underachieved so badly this season, there isn't really a player good enough to consider a "snub." Yet, in looking at outfielder Ryan Ludwick's stats, it's easy to say that he is the Padres' snub candidate considering how Heath Bell will probably represent the team at Chase Field in July.
This season, Ludwick is batting .260 with nine home runs and 45 RBI. Long story short, he's the top offensive producer on the team. The sad part is that his efforts probably won't be recognized anywhere outside of San Diego.
San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval, 3B
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Pablo Sandoval is currently third among NL third basemen in terms of votes, but his stats don't suggest it. He missed close to two months with a broken wrist and is currently hitting .287 with five homers and 15 RBI.
Still, Sandoval was looking good before his injury and if him getting hurt is the reason he lost a shot at the All-Star Game, then that is truly sad. Here's hoping he makes it next year.
Seattle Mariners: Justin Smoak, 1B
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On a Seattle Mariners team that isn't exactly known for contending (although they've looked good as of late), first baseman Justin Smoak has basically carried that team with both his power and stellar play in the field. On offense, he is batting .260 with 12 homers and 40 RBI. In the field, he has only made three errors on the season.
Yet, Major League Baseball will probably send either Ichiro Suzuki or Felix Hernandez to the All-Star Game as Seattle's representative. Given how both are having off years, it's a shame that Smoak will have to wait yet another year or so to be recognized by the fans and MLB itself.
St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Theriot, SS
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Ryan Theriot has never been known for his offense. For all of his career, he has been known for his stellar defense at shortstop. This year, however, the fielding has suffered as he already has 13 errors.
Still, Theriot deserves an All-Star berth because he also happens to be batting .303 with one home run and 23 RBI. Given how the Cardinals have generally struggled this season (compared to seasons past, at least), he has been a consistent producer game after game.
Thus, he deserves at least one All-Star shot.
Tampa Bay Rays: Johnny Damon, DH/OF
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At this rate, it looks as though the Tampa Bay Rays will send one of two people to represent them at the All-Star Game: outfielder Matt Joyce or pitcher James Shields. Given how veteran Johnny Damon is also having a good season, it's sad how his name isn't even being considered.
He's not the player he used to be, but Johnny Damon has still been productive this year. He is batting .271 with eight homers and 33 RBI. To go with that, he has stolen seven bases.
On paper, Joyce and Shields are having better seasons. On pure heart, however, Damon is the true All-Star.
Texas Rangers: Mitch Moreland, 1B
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Currently fourth among AL first basemen regarding votes, it's a safe bet that Mitch Moreland won't make the All-Star team this year. That is a crying shame considering how he has been one of Texas' top producers this year, even during the team's recent offensive struggles. Ever the soldier, Moreland is hitting .296 with nine home runs and 21 RBI.
He doesn't get the same amount of press as reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton or speedy shortstop Elvis Andrus, but it cannot be ignored that Moreland is an integral part of this team. To watch his efforts go unrecognized is simply sad, and one can only hope that he is named to an All-Star team in the very near future.
Toronto Blue Jays: Adam Lind, 1B
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It's no secret that with the Toronto Blue Jays, it's been the Jose Bautista Show all season long. Yet, while Bautista continues to build upon last year's breakout season, first baseman Adam Lind has also been productive following a less than average 2010 (.237, 23 HR, 72 RBI).
This year, Lind has more than just bounced back; he has been incredible. Despite missing some time with a back injury, he has still been great in 47 games. He is batting .328 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI.
Now, here's the crazy part: Lind is not among the top vote-getters at first base, nor at designated hitter. I'm sorry, but there is no reason someone should have stats like his and not make the All-Star team. Hopefully, he'll make it as a reserve.
Washington Nationals: Michael Morse, 1B
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Michael Morse has easily been the biggest surprise of the Washington Nationals this year. After nearly a decade in the minors, he burst onto the scene last year and has continued in 2011. Yet, the All-Star voters have not given him his due respect.
Morse is currently batting .309 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI, six of those home runs coming this month. In all honesty, he's probably the favorite to represent his team in the All-Star Game, but closer Drew Storen probably has just as good a chance. If Morse gets passed over, this could possibly be the biggest snub of all.
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