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Blake Snell and the 5 biggest 2018 All-Star Game snubs

By Rucker Haringey

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 3: Starting pitcher Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays walks off the field after pitching the second inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 3, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 3: Starting pitcher Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays walks off the field after pitching the second inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 3, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 16: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 5-2. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 16: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 5-2. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

4. Kyle Freeland

The Rockies left-hander doesn’t have a strong history of All-Star level performance, but that’s not what the selection criteria are all about. The only thing that’s supposed to matter is the way a pitcher’s thrown the ball this season. Based on that, Freeland deserves a spot on the NL squad.

Ironically, Freeland’s Rockies squad is in a dead heat with Belt’s Giants squad in the NL West race. His team performance certainly didn’t help his case any. Again, this is an individual award. Team performance should only be used in case of tiebreaks.

On the surface, Freeland’s 3.18 ERA in 18 starts isn’t the most impressive mark in the NL. However, you must remember he pitches roughly half of his innings in Coors Field. His ERA deserves the benefit of the doubt given the launchpad he plays in. The more important statistic is the fact that he’s provided his team a WAR of four already.

Freeland has built his strong season by showcasing an excellent ability to both strike hitters out and avoid issuing walks. His strikeout to walk ratio on the year is a sparkling 88:37. Hitters just aren’t making enough contact to get to Freeland on a regular basis.

Unlike Belt, Freeland has a good chance to sneak on the NL roster. Pitchers always drop out with injuries and he’s well-positioned to be named as a replacement. The Rockies ace isn’t an automatic to make the squad, but he shouldn’t make alternate travel plans just yet.

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