Which Pittsburgh Pirates were Snubbed from the All-Star Game?

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Definitely Snubbed

Polanco is not on the ballot for the final spot on the NL All-Star roster, unlike Marte. However, I consider him to be a greater snub than Marte and would say that he should definitely be included on the National League’s All-Star roster. Polanco has a batting average higher than two of the three selected starters (Bryce Harper and Dexter Fowler) and a higher on-base percentage than Carlos Gonzalez and Adam Duvall. Additionally, he has a higher slugging percentage than Harper and Fowler as well. Polanco’s OPS and wOBA are also higher than Duvall and Herrera and he has more Home Runs than Fowler and Herrera.

Finally, his wRC+ is higher than all the reserves except for Ozuna, and starter Bryce Harper. Overall, while Polanco’s stats are not tops of any of the All-Star selections, they are all right in the range. Polanco should be on the All-Star team and would likely have been included if not, once again for Duvall and Herrera.

Player	Position	Avg.	OBP	Slugging	OPS	HR	wOBA	wRC+
Carlos Gonzalez	OF	0.315	0.364	0.555	0.919	18	0.386	125
Marcell Ozuna	OF	0.314	0.367	0.547	0.914	17	0.386	142
Yoenis Cespedes	OF	0.304	0.371	0.589	0.960	21	0.401	158
Odubel Herrera	OF	0.302	0.388	0.441	0.829	10	0.360	124
Gregory Polanco	OF	0.292	0.368	0.512	0.880	12	0.368	134
Dexter Fowler	OF	0.290	0.398	0.483	0.881	7	0.381	139
Bryce Harper	OF	0.258	0.402	0.487	0.889	17	0.369	130
Adam Duvall	OF	0.252	0.290	0.559	0.849	22	0.352	117

So what are the odds that Polanco is inevitably added to the team, as Marte may be? Logic would say that Marte would be included over Polanco due to his pre-existing inclusion in the Final Vote. While, Polanco’s stats are slightly better overall, it is likely Marte’s seniority and fielding prowess that led to this inclusion.

Because of this I agree with the logic that Marte has a better chance of being added, whether via this outlet or as a replacement player. However, working in Polanco’s favor is that Dexter Fowler will likely have to bow out of the All-Star Game due to injury. Add this to the likelihood that at least another outfielder will decline to participate and the Marte and Polanco could both end up joining Melancon in San Diego and giving the Pittsburgh Pirates three All-Stars.

*Stats and info courtesy of fangraphs, baseball-reference, and espn.com

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