The rosters for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game were officially announced on Sunday and as with every year, there were a few noticeable omissions.
With the All-Star Game still more than a week away, there is still a chance those who were snubbed could get in via injury replacement. Pitchers, in particular, who were selected may not be able to pitch for various reasons, which could open the door for more.
But for now, we will take a look at which players we thought were snubbed from the Midsummer Classic. The official rosters can be found here.
Dylan Cease, RHP, Chicago White Sox
Cease will probably get in as a replacement but his omission is quite puzzling. The right-hander is second in the American League with 133 strikeouts in just 92 innings pitched. He also ranks fourth with a 2.45 ERA and opponents are hitting just .205 against him — sixth in the AL. Those numbers should automatically qualify for an All-Star, which will surely be rectified before next week.
Ty France, 1B, Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners first baseman is having a career year at the plate, slashing .310/.384/.467 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI and an .851 OPS entering Sunday, the latter the second-best OPS among first baseman, behind Twins super utility man Luis Arraez and one ahead of Anthony Rizzo (another snub). His average is actually sixth in the AL and has played a fine defense, committing just two errors in 69 games at first base.
Listen to sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest MLB team gear
Astros’ DH Yordan Alvarez went on the IL Sunday, so one would figure France would be among the top considerations to replace him on the roster.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, New York Yankees
The Yankees are having a season for the ages, so naturally, there have been a lot of All-Star caliber performances so far this year. Rizzo is just one of a few others who could easily make this list (Micheal King, Gleyber Torres get honorable mentions). But where would the Yankees be without Rizzo?
His .850 OPS entering Sunday was the third-best among eligible first baseman in the AL. His .226 batting average is low but he makes that up with 22 home runs, which rank fifth in the American League, and 54 RBI — tied for sixth in the AL. He plays a Gold Glove defense and has come up with so many big hits for the Yankees, he certainly has played well enough to be on the team.
Zack Wheeler, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Again, pitchers always tend to get added onto the roster and Wheeler certainly has an argument to make the NL team. The Phillies right-hander is ranks fifth in the NL with a 2.46 ERA and seventh with 104 strikeouts which he has done over 95 innings pitched this season. He also has an impressive 1.05 WHIP with an 8-4 record. It would be shocking if Wheeler ultimately does not get the All-Star nod.
Carlos Rodon, LHP, San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants southpaw is coming off his best start of the year — a complete-game three-hitter with 12 strikeouts against the San Diego Padres — but that was either not enough or too late to get him on the NL All-Star roster. Still, Rodon has a compelling case. He is second in the NL with 124 strikeouts (over 100 innings pitched and has a 2.70 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Opponents are hitting just .204 against him — fifth-best in the NL, certainly All-Star worthy numbers.
Austin Riley, 3B, Atlanta Braves
The Braves are another one of those teams having a great season with many All-Star worthy players, but the omission of Riley is perhaps most glaring. The third baseman has an astounding .908 OPS — fourth best in the National League. His 23 home runs are tied with Pete Alonso for second and his 56 RBI are seventh-best in the NL. While third base is stacked, there is no question Riley has played well enough to be on the team.
Brandon Drury, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
Another victim of a stacked third base in the National League. Drury’s 18 home runs, 50 RBI and .873 OPS are all career highs (or on pace for career highs) that should have resulted in an All-Star nod.
Josh Bell, 1B, Washington Nationals
First base is another one of those deep positions where seems like there are just too many good players, leaving Josh Bell on the outside looking in. He has 12 home runs and 47 RBI with an .877 OPS (ninth in the NL) but he is also hitting for average — batting .304 on the season, the second-best average among NL first basemen behind Paul Goldschmidt. Nationals teammate Juan Soto made it on a down year, but Bell should be right there with him.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram