MLB All-Star Game snubs: Who should be in L.A. for Midsummer Classic

The rosters are set for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles, but there are plenty of deserving candidates who didn't quite make the cut. We're taking a look at some of the players from each league who had the best cases to be selected.

American League

Ty France, Mariners

An elbow injury sidelined France for almost two weeks, but the Mariners first baseman has a claim for the biggest snub of any player. France outpaces AL first base starter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in fWAR, wRC+, and OPS. If any AL players opt out of participating, France should be first in line as a replacement.

Anthony Rizzo, Yankees

The Yankees lead the way with six representatives heading to Southern California. With their incredible record and performance, they easily could have sent more. Rizzo leads all AL first basemen in home runs and is a vital cog in the Yankees' vaunted offensive attack.

Dylan Cease, White Sox

Cease leads the AL in K/9 and sits in the top five in ERA and fWAR. It is truly confounding how he wasn't chosen as a representative. The White Sox hurler possesses some of the most electric stuff in MLB, and it feels like a miss that he won't be on one of baseball's biggest stages.

Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

Gausman is currently dealing with an ankle injury but has racked up the most fWAR among any starting pitcher in baseball. There were some questions about how Gausman would re-adjust to the AL East after pitching in the NL West, but the right-hander has answered them with a strong first half.

Michael King, Yankees

The Yankees already have a bullpen representative, with closer Clay Holmes getting the nod. However, there's an argument that King has been the most indispensable reliever in baseball this season. The versatile right-hander is tied for first in the AL with Holmes in fWAR and ranks second in innings pitched. His ability to give his club multiple innings in high-leverage spots makes him one of the most invaluable bullpen weapons.

National League

Josh Bell, Nationals

Bell will be one of the most attractive options for contending teams as the trade deadline inches closer. The switch-hitting slugger leads the Nationals in RBIs and has been every bit as valuable as superstar Juan Soto.

Brandon Drury, Reds

After struggling from 2017-20, it appeared Drury's time as an everyday player might be nearing an end. However, the Reds third baseman showed flashes in a stint for the Mets last year and has authored a shocking breakout campaign for Cincinnati in 2022. Drury has already set new career highs in home runs and fWAR.

Zack Wheeler, Phillies

Wheeler ranks top-five in the NL in K/9, ERA, and fWAR. He's pitched deep into games, averaging about six innings per start. Both Wheeler and Phillies rotation mate Aaron Nola have good reason to be miffed at their exclusion from the NL roster.

Austin Riley, Braves

Riley sits second in the NL in home runs and inside the top 10 in fWAR. He's been one of the major catalysts in Atlanta's turnaround after a rocky start and could reach 40 home runs for the first time in his career.

Carlos Rodon, Giants

Although the Giants have been one of the more disappointing teams in baseball of late, Rodon has done his best to give them a chance whenever he takes the ball. The left-hander paces the NL in fWAR while sitting second in K/9 and seventh in ERA. His last start was a virtuoso complete game with 12 strikeouts, which makes it all the more mystifying that he didn't earn a roster spot.