2011 MLB All-Star Voting: The Worst Screw-Ups Fans Are Making in Each League

Every year without fail, a couple of players either don't make the All-Star game or don't start when they should because of fan voting.

This usually happens because our larger markets, such as New York and Boston, usually dominate the voting. It's part of the process, though, and it should be expected every season.

In this article, we will be looking at a number of players that I feel should either be starting or should make the All-Star game that probably won't be.

Alex Avila, C Detroit Tigers

Alex Avila will make the All-Star Game, but he should be making it as a starter. The New York Yankees' Russell Martin is currently leading the voting, but Avila has far outplayed him this season.

At the time of this writing, Martin is hitting .228 with nine homers, 30 RBI and an OPS of .731. Avila, on the other hand, is hitting .302 with 10 homers, 45 RBI and an OPS of .913.

Avila also has the highest WAR of any catcher in the AL at 2.6; Martin's is 1.7.

Avila is a close second right now, but I think he should have been the landslide winner here.

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS Cleveland Indians

Asdrubal Cabrera has been the best shortstop in the American League, bar none. The Indians star is hitting .295 with 13 homers, 46 RBI, 12 stolen bases and an OPS of .848.

Cabrera is second in voting behind none other than Derek Jeter, the Yankees' captain. Jeter may not be healthy in time to play in the game, so it may be Cabrera anyway.

Still though, Cabrera should be the starter by a healthy margin, and aside from Jeter, I guess that he is. He's been great this year and deserves to get the start at short. 

Alex Gordon, LF Kansas City Royals

For as good as Josh Hamilton is, the fact that he is played 30 fewer games this season than guys like Alex Gordon and Jacoby Ellsbury yet is ahead of them in the voting shows how flawed it is.

The worse thing about Gordon is that he isn't even in the top 15 for outfielders, this despite being fifth in the American League outfielders in WAR at 3.1. 

Gordon has had a big turnaround in his overall play this season, hitting .294 with nine homers, 44 RBI and an OPS of .844.

If he's not starting, Gordon at least deserves to play in the game, but that doesn't appear that it is going to happen.

Danny Espinosa, 2B Washington Nationals

Despite an average of just .243, Danny Espinosa has hit 15 homers, knocked in 48 runs, stolen nine bases and is slugging .475.

Espinosa is second among National League second basemen with a WAR of 3.1. Yet he isn't in the top five in All-Star voting at the position, and may not make it to the game.

Espinosa shouldn't be starting the game, but has played a good all around game this year and deserves to be in Arizona. 

Ryan Roberts, 3B Arizona Diamondbacks

Ryan Roberts is one of the best players of the All-Star game hosting team, yet likely won't be at the game as a player.

Roberts is leading all National League third basemen in WAR at 2.0. He's posted a slash of .257/.342/.444 with 10 homers, 33 RBI and nine stolen bases.

Roberts should be at least a reserve in the game, but is not even in the top five in voting for the position.

Jose Reyes, SS New York Mets

In an extremely close race, the guy that is currently second among all position players in WAR is second in All-Star voting. Jose Reyes, at last count, is less than 200,000 votes behind Troy Tulowitzki, a great player as well.

Reyes has just been special this year, posting a slash of .341/.385/.514 with 28 stolen bases and 61 runs scored.

Reyes is probably the game's best game-changer right now and should without question be starting in the All-Star Game.

Andrew McCutchen, CF Pittsburgh Pirates

Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates' franchise player, is second among NL outfielders in WAR at 4.0. He's posted a slash of .285/.388/.463 with 10 homers, 39 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases.

McCutchen is getting the Alex Gordon treatment, as he isn't even in the top 15 in voting.

Point blank, McCutchen should be starting the game. He's been among the best players in the game this year yet isn't getting the love that he deserves.