Well, now that’s not an option because he was selected to replace Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on the National League roster.
But that leads us to ask, who is the biggest snub?
Jake Peavy has actually been healthy and pitching much like his days with the San Diego Padres. In 17 starts, he is 7-5 with a 2.85 ERA and a team-leading 108 strikeouts. He, along with Chris Sale, have been the two aces of the Chicago White Sox starting rotation.
What about Boston’s own Jarrod Saltalamacchia? He leads all major league catchers with 17 home runs and let’s be fair -– how many plus-offensive catchers are there in the majors? Joe Mauer certainly hasn’t been himself and Victor Martinez is out for the season. Saltalamacchia has done nothing but rake for the Red Sox since Jason Varitek’s retirement, but his below-.250 average might have been the deal breaker.
As much as some guys don’t like A.J. Pierzynski, he would have been an acceptable selection. He is having himself one of his best seasons of his career and only two homers away from tying his career high. He’s hitting .286 with 16 homers and 49 RBIs. Pierzynski is a huge reason the White Sox lead the American League Central by three and a half games.
In last two seasons, Johnny Cueto was considered one of the best young pitchers in the game. Now, he’s one of the best starters in Cincinnati’s rotation. He is 9-5 with a 2.35 ERA, the best ERA in the National League. The downside to his numbers might be his strikeouts. He has only fanned 86 batters in 114 2/3 innings pitched.
Which player here is the biggest snub? Who should be on a plane to Kansas City on Sunday night?
