Detroit Tigers: Making Sense of the All-Star Omissions

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Jun 20, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) is hit by a pitch in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers players have put up some fine individual seasons so far in 2016. However, only one Detroit player made the All-Star team this season—Miguel Cabrera. Ian Kinsler could join him via the Final Vote.

Detroit Tigers players generally tend to go to the All-Star Game in droves. With an offense that is consistently one of baseball’s best and a pitching staff that has featured multiple Cy Young winners, the Tigers usually send a number of players to the event.

This year is apparently different.

Despite a roster featuring many standout performers, the only Tigers player locked into a roster spot for the All-Star Game is Miguel Cabrera. Miggy didn’t snag a starting spot, but he made it as a reserve. With no Detroit players starting, here’s the full American League bench and pitching staff.

Catchers: Stephen Vogt and Matt Wieters.

Infielders: Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Josh Donaldson, Francisco Lindor and Eduardo Nunez.

Outfielders, Carlos Beltran, Ian Desmond and Mark Trumbo.

Designated hitter: Edwin Encarnacion.

Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Brad Brach, Zach Britton, Alex Colome, Wade Davis, Marco Estrada, Cole Hamels, Will Harris, Danny Salazar, Chris Sale and Steven Wright.

That’s right, no Nick Castellanos, no Victor Martinez, no Ian Kinsler, no Francisco Rodriguez and no Michael Fulmer.

Here’s an in-depth look at the omissions.

Ian Kinsler

Kinsler could still make it as part of the Final Vote, but his omission may be the biggest swing and miss this season. The veteran leads all American League second baseman in runs scored with 67 (which is significant when you consider that’s more than on-base machine Jose Altuve).

Additionally, Robinson Cano is the only player standing in Kinsler’s way of claiming the top spot in both home runs and RBI. The Seattle standout has only three more home runs and two more RBI than Kinsler.

What’s more, Kinsler is arguably the Tigers’ best defensive player and provides a steadying presence at second base.

Eduardo Nunez’ Selection

The most noteworthy inclusion on the American League bench is that of Eduardo Nunez. The Minnesota utility player has predominantly seen time at shortstop and third base. However, he’s also played a handful of games at second, and has moonlighted as an occasional outfielder in years past.

The former Yankee is having a fine offensive season, hitting .341 with 34 RBI, 19 stolen bases and 11 home runs. However, the case could be made that Kinsler should have received the call.

Past All-Star teams have opted to go with utility players in the past, but this year they didn’t need to based on their other selections. Ian Desmond, selected as an outfielder, can also play shortstop. Fellow outfield selection Mark Trumbo can also log time at first base.

Loaded Position Groups

Nick Castellanos

On one hand, Nick Castellanos is stuck at position loaded with star players. Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson and Adrian Beltre all man the hot corner for fellow American League teams.

On the other hand, the Tigers third baseman is having a breakout season with 15 home runs, 45 RBI and a .302 batting average in 80 games played. The 15 long balls have already tied a career high for the 24-year-old. Castellanos is also steadily improving in the field.

Victor Martinez

Like Castellanos, Victor Martinez is having a superb season.

So far, the designated hitter is batting .318 with a .364 on-base percentage in 80 games. He’s also added 13 doubles, 16 home runs and 50 RBI. Per usual, the veteran has proven to be a difficult batter to strikeout, with just 46 punch out so far.

Also like Castellanos, Martinez plays a position that a number of other standouts play. David Ortiz and Edwin Encarnacion are both having equally excellent seasons. You could make the argument that Martinez should get in over Encarnacion due to the disparity in batting averages between the two players. However, other than that, V-Mart only misses out due the loaded position group.

Jun 22, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) walks off the field after being relieved in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

No K-Rod, Fulmer Robbed

Francisco Rodriguez entered Tuesday tied with Zach Britton and David Robertson for the American-League lead in saves with 23, yet, curiously, he was left of the roster.

The American League features a number of elite relievers that made the team, but it seems odd to leave K-Rod at home. Detroit’s closer has pitched to a 3.03 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched. To go along with his 23 saves, he’s also struck out 29 batters. This year, the AL team is heavy on relievers, with just four starting pitchers named to the team.

Of those four—Chris Sale, Steven Wright, Cole Hamels and Marco Estrada—Sale is the only one having far and away a better season than Fulmer. At 14-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 120 innings pitched, Sale might be having a better season than just about everyone on the junior circuit.

Still, the case could be made that Fulmer is having a better season than the other three. Here’s a look at their numbers

Wright: 9-5, 2.42 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 108 innings pitched, 87 strikeouts, 2.5 WAR.

Fulmer: 8-2, 2.17 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 70.2 innings pitched, 70 strikeouts, 3.2 WAR.

Hamels: 9-2, 2.93 ERA, 4.39 FIP, 107.2 innings pitched, 105 strikeouts, 2.8 WAR.

Estrada: 5-3, 2.93 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 104.1 innings pitched, 99 strikeouts, 2.8 WAR.

Fulmer has thrown fewer innings than the other three, but his run prevention numbers grade out much better—as does his WAR. The Tigers starter was probably also a victim of the team choosing so many relievers. Fulmer likely would have been next in line had the team decided to carry more starters.

It should be pointed out that injuries and withdrawals could mean a number of Tigers players making it into the game. However, for now, Miggy is the only one assured a roster spot.

Next: Which Tampa Bay Starting Pitcher is the Best Fit for Detroit?

Ian Kinsler could still make into the game. Vote here at MLB.com and use the hashtag #VoteKinsler to help the Detroit Tigers second baseman make it to San Diego.

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Detroit Tigers players have put up some fine individual seasons so far in 2016. However, only one Detroit player made the All-Star team this season—Miguel Cabrera. Ian Kinsler could join him via the Final Vote.

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