The 5 Biggest All-Star Snubs of 2021

It's that time of year once again. As baseball announces the full list of players who'll be attending the MLB All-Star Game, there is inevitably a list just as long of players who feel "snubbed". This year's snub list is no exception. 

First, a look at who DID make it to the Midsummer Classic, headlined by the first player in history to be named as both a pitcher and a hitter, Shohei Ohtani:

Your 2021 MLB All Stars!

What do you guys think? Any snubs? pic.twitter.com/RS7nQQNIN8

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 4, 2021

There are so many deserving players who didn't make the cut, all that's needed is a quick glance around Twitter to hear about it. But these five stand out as the most glaring omissions:

1. Max Scherzer, SP, Washington Nationals

I mean, c'mon, this guy is one of the best pitchers of this generation, and this wouldn't have been an honorary pick either: he's sporting a 2.10 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 127 strikeouts. 

Turner, Schwarber, and Soto absolutely deserve to be All-Stars, but wow Scherzer might be the biggest snub in recent history

— The Nats Cast (@natscastpod) July 4, 2021

2. Freddy Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers

Two other Brewers' starters made the grade, Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes, and deservedly so. But Peralta's season has been off the charts, with a 2.17 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 122 Ks, while holding hitters to a minuscule .140 average.

Freddy Peralta is officially the biggest All-Star snub in the history of professional sports.

There is no debate.

How do you hold hitters to a .140 average all year and have a near 2.00 ERA — while punching out 13 K/9 — ... and not make it?

Just criminal

— Matt Zylbert (@MattZylbert) July 5, 2021

3. Taijuan Walker, SP, New York Mets

While his teammate Jacob deGrom is, of course, on another planet, and heads up the NL staff, Walker has had a sensational season for the Mets, with a 7-3 record, and 2.44 ERA. He certainly has the backing, at least, of his very vocal teammate Marcus Stroman. 

My dawg @tai_walker should have been/needs to be an All-Star. No debate! 🗣

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) July 4, 2021

4. Chris Bassitt, SP, Oakland A's

The Ace of the A's has risen to the ranks of the best pitchers in the league this season, with a 9-2 record and a 3.04 ERA.

Chris Bassitt: AL All Star Snub

#1 in Innings Pitched, total Starts
#2 in wins and Win %
#6 in ERA
#6 in WHIP
#7 in Strikeouts
#8 in Pitching WAR
#8 in Hits/9IP
#9 in K/BB ratio

Somehow not an All Star. @MLB, poor show.
The @Athletics are perennial contenders. You'd never know.

— Louis Gray (@louisgray) July 4, 2021

5. Half of the Los Angeles Dodgers (according to social media)

The Dodgers did get three players named to the team on Sunday, including infielder Max Muncy and outfielders Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor. But where, say Dodger fans, are third baseman Justin Turner, catcher Will Smith, pitchers Walker Buehler and Kenley Jansen? 

The biggest snub out of everybody is 10000% JT. What are we doing here? @MLB #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/4qHPXkyDtw

— Genaro Ciulla (@GCiulla24) July 4, 2021

Undoubtedly, some of these players will be named to replace injured players already on the list, but until then, let the debates rage!

Photo Credit:  Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports