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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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May 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Burns (1) makes a leaping catch in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Burns (1) makes a leaping catch in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

OF Billy Burns, Oakland Athletics

One of the most obvious things about the American League All-Star roster is there are not many notable snubs. But to not call young Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Burns a snub–which has kind of become its own honor–would be unfair.

Like Mookie Betts he is exceptionally skilled, speedy and quick. And he’s almost nightly turning in a web gem caliber catch out in centerfield. With pitching and defense largely dominating baseball nowadays, such defensive wizardry should not be eschewed, at least not flippantly.

And it isn’t as if Burns does not contribute to the A’s cause at the dish either. In fact, he is tied for sixth in baseball with five triples, in large part due to his tremendous speed. But he is ninth in all of baseball in batting average entering Monday, hitting .318. His OPS is .781, as with Betts quite solid for a young player known more for speed.

He’s only walked 11 times so his on-base percentage is only .356, but that’s still a solid number in today’s game, especially for a young hitter. And he’s contributed 1.8 wins above replacement offensively. Surprisingly he’s only 0.1 runs above defensively, despite it being the part of his game he has gained most acclaim for this season.

Somehow he’s minus-1 in defensive runs saved, according to baseball-reference.com. That fact may serve to show defensive metrics remain a rather inexact science. The eye test says Burns is a tremendously valuable defensive player in centerfield.

Next: Last year's AL Cy Young winner

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