The complete rosters for the American and National League teams in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game were revealed, and these players were royally snubbed.
On July 11, the 2023 MLB All-Star Game will take place from T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. We are a bit over a week away from the Midsummer Classic, and MLB has asked for fans in the past couple of weeks to vote for their favorite players to become starters for the American and National League teams.
This week, the full starting lineups for the AL and NL teams were revealed. That, as it does every year, created a debate as to who was worthy of getting the start for their respective team. But, the conversations really pick up when the complete rosters are announced.
Sure enough, the full rosters were revealed on ESPN on Sunday, July 2, including pitchers and reserves. With a complete list of players to look at, fans expressed their opinions on who was deserving to make it, and who was snubbed completely.
When it comes to snubs, these five players (in no particular order) stand out.
No. 5 biggest MLB All-Star Game snub: Fernando Tatis Jr., OF, Padres
There were only so many outfield positions to go around, especially in the starting lineup once Ronald Acuña Jr. earned an automatic bid for receiving the most votes out of anyone in the National League. Joining him in the starting lineup was Arizona Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll and Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts. On Sunday, the final three spots were filled by Nick Castellanos, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Juan Soto.
One player who did get snubbed was Soto's teammate on the San Diego Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tatis had missed out on the start of the 2023 season after serving a 60-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy last year. Since returning, Tatis had been performing well in the batter's box, notably recording a .867 OPS, the sixth-best among all NL outfielders. Tatis had a higher OPS than Gurriel (.810).
Overall, Tatis recorded a .280 batting average, a .341 on-base percentage, a .526 slugging percentage, 16 home runs, 41 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 75 hits through 64 games played.
When it comes to big-name snubs, Tatis certainly qualifies.
No. 4 biggest MLB All-Star Game snub: Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox
When it comes to the third base position in the American League, it's essentially a foregone conclusion that either Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox or Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians will round out the depth chart. But this season, only one of them could make it onto the roster, due in part to Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers earning the starting nod.
So, Ramirez made the cut, while Devers missed out.
This year (as of this writing), Devers has the third-most RBIs among all American League players this year with 66, trailing Shohei Ohtani (68) and Adolis Garcia (67). Not to mention, he's tied with Garcia for third-most home runs with 20.
On the year, Devers recorded a .256 batting average, a .326 on-base percentage, a .505 slugging percentage, a .831 OPS, 46 runs scored, and 80 hits.
Devers may not be on the roster right now, but he could be a replacement in case any AL player were to bow out of the All-Star Game.
No. 3 biggest MLB All-Star Game snub: Josh Naylor, 1B, Guardians
For the first base position on the American League team, a spot can essentially be reserved for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays, given his popularity. Guerrero missed out on the starting lineup, losing to Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays. With that, Guerrero was named a reserve infielder in the All-Star Game.
With those two players, Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians was snubbed.
Yes, the Guardians aren't playing the best baseball this year in what has been a subpar outing from the entire AL Central division. But Naylor has joined Ramirez as one of Cleveland's best hitters. His numbers are very good, especially amongst other first basemen in the AL.
Naylor has the second-highest batting average (.297) slugging percentage (.473), and OPS (.810), all behind Diaz. Naylor does lead all AL first basemen with 58 RBI, more than Guerrero's 52. Additionally, Naylor put up a .337 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, 31 runs scored, and 81 RBI.
When it comes to first basemen who deserved a spot on the AL Roster, Naylor fits the bill.
No. 2 biggest MLB All-Star Game snub: Tyler Wells, SP, Orioles
The full pitching staffs for both the American and National Leagues were revealed on Sunday. When it comes to the AL, there were the obvious names to make it like Shane McClanahan, Gerrit Cole, and Nathan Eovaldi. But one name that just missed the cut was Tyler Wells of the Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore is having a great season and is well-represented in the All-Star Game with Adley Rutschman, Austin Hays, Felix Bautista, and Yennier Cano. Wells should have joined them.
When it comes to WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched), Wells has the best rating of them all, including Eovaldi and Cole. In 16 games (15 starts), Wells has a 0.88 WHIP, the best among all American and National League pitchers. Not to mention he has allowed the second-lowest batting average among all AL pitchers with .185, just behind Shohei Ohtani (.180).
On the year, Wells recorded a 3.21 ERA, a 6-4 win-loss record, 95 strikeouts, and 20 walks over 92.2 innings pitched.
If a spot were to open up on the AL team, Wells should get a call to make the trip to Seattle.
No. 1 biggest MLB All-Star Game snub: Wander Franco, SS, Rays
Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays has to be the biggest snub of them all.
For the starting shortstop position, the choices came down to Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers or Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays. Both of them put up great numbers this year, and Seager earned the starting nod. Bichette would make the team as a reserve. But Franco missed out on a bid as an infield option off the bench.
The infield bench will consist of Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jose Ramirez, and Whit Merrifield. Given the AL team needed a second-base bench option, Merrifield earned a spot behind starter Marcus Semien. Merrifield is slashing .282/.339/.361 while recording two home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and 78 hits.
This year, Franco recorded a .283 batting average, a .343 on-base percentage, a .459 slugging percentage, a .802 OPS, nine home runs, 42 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 90 hits.
Franco missed out on the chance of playing in his first All-Star Game because Seager and Bichette have been equally incredible this year and for the AL for picking Merrifield as a depth second baseman. Once players begin opting out, Franco should earn an invite.