Tom Verducci's All-Star Omissions

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 30, 2009

Tom Verducci's All-Star Omissions

Mark Teixeira, Yankees, 1B

The Yankees' $180 Million Man ranks second in the American League in homers (20) and fourth in RBIs (60).

Johan Santana, Mets, SP

At 9-5 with a 3.08 ERA, Santana is chugging along as his usual dominant self (though he did suffer the worst outing of his career earlier this month, giving up nine earned runs in just three innings to the Yankees).

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 1B

Cabrera has the third-best batting average in the American League (.331), as well as 16 homers and 47 RBIs.

Carlos Pena, Rays, 1B

The Rays slugging first baseman leads the AL in home runs (23) and runs (58), but his .238 batting average certainly leaves something to be desire.

Carlos Beltran, Mets, CF

Beltran is probably the best all-around center fielder in the game, and his .336 batting average ranks third in the National League. But an ailing right knee injury could force him to miss a significant amount of time.

Ryan Howard, Phillies, 1B

Howard ranks third in the National League in RBIs (59) and fifth in homers (20), but he also ranks second in strikeouts (92) and owns a .256 batting average.

Josh Beckett, Red Sox, SP

Beckett, who has only made one All-Star game in his career (2007), is tied for second in the MLB in wins at 9-3 and also boasts a highly respectable 3.48 ERA.

Manny Ramirez, Dodgers, LF

Manny, who hit .348 with six homers and 20 RBIs through 27 games before being suspended 50 games, had early support in the fan voting. But he has slipped to seventh in voting among NL outfielders in the latest count.

Lance Berkman, Astros, 1B

The five-time All-Star has 16 homers and 45 RBIs, but his .256 batting average is 43 points below his career mark.

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 3B

The 12-time All-Star is about to miss his first Midsummer Classic since 1999, as Evan Longoria holds a comfortable lead in the fan voting and A-Rod's paltry stats through 46 games won't draw a managerial selection.

Todd Helton, Rockies, 1B

The 35-year-old looks rejuvenated in 2009, hitting .313 with 53 RBIs. There are just too many talented first basemen in the National League: Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez, to name a few.

Brian Fuentes, Angels, RP

Fuentes leads the majors with 22 saves, but his 3.62 ERA is a bit high for a closer.

Scott Rolen, Blue Jays, 3B

Rolen owns the second-highest batting average in the American League at .332, but his power numbers (five homers, 29 RBIs) are seriously lacking.

Johnny Cueto, Reds, SP

Even though he pitches his home games in the bandbox known as the Great American Ball Park, Cueto boasts a 2.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

Chris Carpenter, Cardinals, SP

Although he spent some time on the disabled list, Carpenter has been absolutely brilliant in his 10 starts, posting a 1.78 ERA, minuscule 0.701 WHIP and 5-2 record.