Having initially been snubbed for this year's All-Star Game in Cleveland, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was named to the American League squad on Wednesday as injury replacement for Rangers designated hitter Hunter Pence.
BIG NEWS:⭐️Bogie is an All-Star! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/juf5uUC5D7
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 3, 2019
Despite putting up arguably the best numbers of any American League shortstop while remaining an above-average defensive infielder, Bogaerts only finished fifth among shortstops in the initial voting, perhaps the most egregious omission of any All-Star snub. An argument could be been made for Houston's Alex Bregman as the only shortstop in Bogaerts' class this season, but Bregman has split time between two positions on the left side of the infield and was voted in as a third baseman anyways, making Bogaerts' omission even more surprising.
Bogaerts will join teammates Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, along with manager Alex Cora, in Cleveland, as Boston's representatives for the Midsummer Classic.
