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

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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Jul 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

SP Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians

There’s some sentiment in baseball that a Cy Young award winner should automatically be in the next season’s All-Star Game, or at least if he is perennially one of the best pitchers in baseball. That’s one of the main arguments for Clayton Kershaw.

Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians does not have quite the track record of greatness Kershaw has. But this is the third year in a row Kluber has been among the best pitchers in baseball.

Don’t look at his paltry 3-9 record–it means (in my best Chris Trager voice) literally nothing. And his 3.64 ERA doesn’t look so hot.

But it’s a poor indication of how good he’s been this season. He leads the American League in strikeouts with 141 and has struck out 10.7 hitters per nine innings.

His 2.45 FIP is so much better than his ERA, indicating he’s essentially been unlucky this year when balls have been hit in play against him. He’s walking a career best 1.8 hitters per nine innings and his WHIP is a very solid 1.138.

If Kluber had made the AL All-Star team it would not have been a charity selection, but it also would have been as probably the last pitcher selection. Kluber is deserving.

Next: MLB All-Time 25-Man Roster

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