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MLB All-Star Game 2015: 5 Biggest Snubs – NL

By Will Osgood

May 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (8) relieves starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (8) relieves starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 16, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) delivers in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) delivers in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

SP Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs

OK, so I’m a Chicago Cubs fan. I would have loved to see both Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel representing the North Side in Cincinnati for the All-Star Game. Myself, and Cubs Nation (if there’s such a thing), have to settle for Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant–both fully deserving of the nod.

Hammel had a more impressive start to the season, but has fallen back to earth a bit in the last month, whereas Arrieta has dropped his ERA from 3.40 on June 16 to 2.80 headed into his start on Tuesday.

Thankfully we’re at a point where wins is no longer considered an important stat for pitchers, but it is notable that most of the National League’s starting pitchers who made the team have close to 10 wins. Arrieta has eight.

Zach Greinke and A.J. Burnett each have seven–and Greinke has infamously been tortured with terrible run support from the Los Angeles Dodgers when he has started. Both are deserving. I’m not arguing against them in any way. I’m only saying Arrieta has been close to their equal.

Arrieta has a better WHIP than Burnett (1.028 to 1.225), though his FIP (fielding independent pitching) rating is a bit higher (2.73 for Arrieta to 2.57 for Burnett). Arrieta strikes out significantly more hitters than Burnett (9.3 K/9 to 7.7).

Again, Burnett is worthy, and a nice story–it is his first All-Star appearance in a fairly solid 17-year career. Perhaps the sentimental vote went to Burnett. If so, I’m fine with it. I wanted Burnett on the team.

The point is simply to say Arrieta was also deserving. But in an era where pitching is so good, Arrieta was likely the victim of the system. The good news is since coming to Chicago, he’s been remarkably consistent. He figures to post incredible numbers once again next year–assuming he’s fully healthy and he doesn’t forget how to pitch.

If he does, he’ll make an All-Star squad eventually.

Next: Another pitcher who it's hard to imagine him not making it

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