Ryan Wagner's 2011 MLB All-Star Snubs

2011 MLB ALL-STAR GAME SNUBS

Leading up to the All-Star Game next week, I'll be writing several pieces about the game and the teams themselves. Today we'll start with the most popular of those topics, the snubs for each league. I'll give you my top snub for each league, but feel free to disagree with me and tell me who you think got snubbed by tweeting me @rwags614.

American League

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees

11-4 3.05 ERA 106 SO

It's hard to pick a Yankee here, especially considering that three quarters of the starting infield and the starting center fielder for the American League all come from the Bronx. Interestingly, CC is not the only guy from the Yanks who could be included. First baseman Mark Teixeira has been one of the most dangerous power hitters in the league this season and is also playing Gold Glove defense. But CC, the clear Ace in New York, should have been on this team. He has been the stopper for an inconsistent rotation, featuring retreads Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, an erratic rookie in Ivan Nova, an even more erratic veteran in A.J. Burnett, and the mysteriously injured Phil Hughes. Through all of that, CC has been the main reason the Yankees once again find themselves in first place at the halfway point in 2011. He is on pace for over 20 wins and figures to be in the discussion for the Cy Young Award at season's end.

Also-Snubs:

Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

National League

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

.294/12/46 15 SB

In just his third full year and at only 24, McCutchen has developed into one of the best young outfielders in the game. Unfortunately, he ran into an overcrowding situation in the NL outfield, where Lance Berkman, Matt Kemp, Matt Holliday, Ryan Braun, and Justin Upton are all having fantastic years and deserved to be included. It seems they needed room for one more. McCutchen is also suffering because he plays in Pittsburgh, which was never going to send more than one guy to Arizona. That guy was Joel Hanrahan, who was an easier choice considering the manager of the National League team is required to take three relief pitchers. Even more than his snub from the team itself, his being left off of the National League Final Vote ballot is probably an even greater injustice. Luckily for Pirates fans, it seems McCutchen has many Midsummer Classics in his future.

Also-snubs:

Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves

Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies

Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs