HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 22: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros glances at the bench after hitting a home run during the third inning against the New York Mets at Minute Maid Park on June 22, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The starters for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game were revealed on July 8. Here are five players that were the biggest snubs.
The 2022 MLB All-Star game is just a couple of weeks away, as Dodger Stadium hosts the annual event on July 19. With the “Midsummer Classic” approaching, fans voted throughout the season to see who would make the American League and National League All-Star teams.
MLB announced the starting lineups for both teams on July 8. As is the case every year, there are debates as to whether the right players were voted into the game, which leads to discussions on who was snubbed from their respective teams.
Here are five players that stand out.
MLB All-Star snubs from starters vote: 5 players who deserved a nod
Yordan Alvarez, Astros DH
The first name that comes to mind as to who should have made the All-Star starting lineup was Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez.
The fourth-year player has been on a tear ever since the season began and has made a case for himself to be an AL MVP contender. Through 73 games this season, Alvarez recorded a .312 batting average, a 1.075 OPS, 26 home runs, and 59 RBI.
Despite those numbers, the ever-popular Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels made the starting lineup. Ohtani slashed .258/.344/.490 while recording 18 home runs, and 53 RBI.
Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox SS
Another head-scratching name that did not make the cut as a finalist for the starting shortstop role is Xander Bogaerts.
Of course, the story heading into the season was Bogaerts’ contract negotiations with the Red Sox, which ended without either side striking a deal. With the talks behind him and having the chance to opt out of his current deal at the end of the year, Bogaerts is having himself a strong season.
Through 80 games, Bogaerts has a .308 batting average, a .834 OPS, and 91 hits to his credit.
It is no knock on Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox, who was named the starter. But Bogaerts should have been in consideration for the role.