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MLB All-Star Game 2016: 5 biggest NL snubs

By Parker Hurley

Aug 15, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) and center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate the win after the fourteenth inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) and center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate the win after the fourteenth inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 22, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Brandon Crawford (35) throws the ball to first to record an out against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Cubs 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Brandon Crawford (35) throws the ball to first to record an out against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Cubs 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

1.Brandon Crawford

The snubbing of Brandon Crawford just shows how little voters, or anyone who is picking All-Stars pays attention to defense. Crawford, at shortstop plays the most important position to have a strong defender. He just so happens to be far and away the best defensive player in the National League.

He leads the league in defensive runs saved, UZR, and defensive rating. There is just no shortstop on his level right now on defense.

While he is not the Troy Tulowitzki of hitting shortstops, it is not like Crawford is a liability at the plate either. He is posting a .287 average with eight home runs and three steals. Compared to other shortstops in the NL he ranks fifth in on base percentage, sixth in average, and is eighth in home runs.

Add that to his ridiculous head start as a fielder and you have a surefire All-Star. In the National League he ranks sixth in WAR, and is second among shortstops behind Corey Seager.

Crawford’s snubbing is so shocking because not only did he not get on the roster, he also was left off of the final vote ballot. This is compared to his teammate Brandon Belt, and fellow shortstop Trevor Story who made the final vote ballot. Crawford posted a 3.3 WAR in the first half compared to Belt with a 2.1 and Story with a 1.6. If asked who the better Giant is and who the better shortstop is, Crawford seems to be the easy answer. Yet, he failed to get the recognition.

I am sure if you asked the 53-32 Giants if they thought that Crawford, the player who leads their team in WAR, deserves a spot they would have laughed at the idea of it being a question. Yet here we are. One day defense will get noticed. One day.

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