MLB All Star Game Snubs: Rick Porcello Deserves To Be An All Star

Jul 1, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(21) in the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Porcello is part of the Final Vote for the final spot on the American League’s 2014 MLB All Star roster but was Rick Porcello snubbed by the players and Manager John Farrell when he was left-off the roster in the first place?

Rick Porcello is enjoying just as good (in some cases a better start) than at least 4  of the pitchers chosen to participate in the All Star Game.  This graph offers a comparison between the pitchers in question.

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Stats Don’t Lie

Rick Porcello has better overall statistics than every pitcher on this list.

• His 11 wins places him among the league leaders in wins.
• His WHIP is better than only one pitcher in this group (David Price) and his Batting Average Against (.242) is second only to Yu Darvish.
• Porcello also leads the group in complete game shut-outs.

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Team Impact

Rick Porcello has also had a tremendous impact on his team.  His 11 wins leads an loaded Detroit Tigers starting rotation that has the team pulling away in the American League Central. After a terrible start to the season by ace Justin Verlander the team would not be in the position they are in without the Rick Porcello’s performace in the first half.

Mark Buehrle‘s 10 wins have definately helped the Toronto Blue Jays climb into the contention in the American League East but no other pitcher on the list has even led his team to a winning record.  Yu Darvish, David Price and Jon Lester have all had lack-luster seasons as their teams Ace which has contributed to each teams below .500 record.

So why the snub?

Strikeouts Are Sexy

Rick Porcello is not a strike-out pitcher.  His ability to strike out opposing batters has improved but Porcello depends on the ground ball to get batters out.  Because of this there is not much buzz surrounding Porcello’s game.

4th Starter

Porcello is the 4th pitcher on a loaded starting rotation.  Every other pitcher listed in this post could be considered the Ace of their representive staffs.  Because Porcello is not considered among the elitel pitchers in baseball he may have to string together a couple of strong seasons to be considered All Star caliber.