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

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) /

3 of 5

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) fields an eighth inning ground ball during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals on July 7, 2018, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. The Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins, 18-4, (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Trea Turner, Washington Nationals, SS

Turner is one of the players who didn’t make the initial roster who has a clear case that he should have been named over another player. Trevor Story has enjoyed a nice start to the season for the Rockies, but Turner is objectively a better player.

The Nationals shortstop is hitting .282/.359/.425 in his 355 at-bats on the season. Combine with the excellent defense he plays at short and it adds up to a WAR of 3.5. That’s a full win better than Story’s mark to date.

Story does have an advantage in terms of hitting for power, but the numbers don’t lie. Picking him over Turner is a pretty serious oversight. The Nationals’ mediocre start to the campaign certainly hurt Turner’s chances of making the team.

Fortunately, Turner’s positional versatility might help him be named as a replacement. Once players start to drop, managers making replacement selections start to actually think about what they’ll need to win the game.

Turner’s ability to play multiple positions might be enough to earn him an important bench spot for the National League. He’ll need a break or two, but he’s got a chance to participate in the big game.

Home/MLB