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MLB All-Star Game 2015: 5 bigggest snubs – AL

By Will Osgood

Jul 4, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 4, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 28, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago (53) in the second inning of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago (53) in the second inning of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

SP Hector Santiago, Los Angeles Angels

I’m fully in support of the sabermetrics movement in baseball. As such, ERA should not be an overriding metric used for determining who the best pitchers are in baseball. Of course neither should wins.

Still, Hector Santiago of the Los Angeles Angels has put together a rather incredible first half of the season. And let’s be honest, the odds are good he won’t be in this position again. His 2.40 ERA is 10th in all of baseball.

So why did he not make the AL All-Star team? One, there are a lot of other really good pitchers in the American League, all having fine seasons this year.

The other reason may be the sabermetrics argument. His fielding independent pitching rating (FIP)–widely accepted in 2015 as a better device for figuring out the best pitchers in the game–is more than run higher than his ERA. In other words, much of his 2.40 ERA through the first half of the baseball season could be accounted to luck and likely incredible defense behind him.

He is, however, striking out 8.1 batters per nine innings–a solid figure, and one at least close to All-Star-worthy. His WHIP is also a sparkling 1.095.

In other words, despite the high FIP of 4.11, Santiago has actually been quite solid when considering his other metrics. He at least should be in the running for an injury replacement nod.

Next: Another young, speedy outfielder

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