Capuano, Ethier, Ellis: All-Star snubs?

Every year we see the same thing: fans vote in starters, managers pick the rest, and outrage ensues.

And just like in the past, this year is no different.

It took about .2 seconds for the world to immediately assume that Tony LaRussa snubbed a couple of Reds' players, Johnny Cueto and Brandon Phillips.  Let's not forget the Reds-Cardinals dustup from a 2010 game.  Did LaRussa get one last dig in against his old nemesis?  Who knows.

But while we're on the subject of snubs, or even potential snubs, let's take a look at three guys in blue who could've gotten in, but were denied.

Chris Capuano - Probably the biggest case can be made for Caps.  Right now he's 9-3 with a 2.89 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 89 K's in 110 1/3 innings.  Even Clayton Kershaw remarked that while he's honored to be chosen by LaRussa, he feels badly that it wasn't Capuano instead. 

Through April, he was 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA.  After May, he was 7-1 and 2.14.  His best start came on June 17, as he gave up one run in eight innings against the White Sox, striking out 12.  And even with all of that, he's not even on the Final Vote ballot.  It's a shame.

Andre Ethier - With a recent injury to his oblique, who knows if Ethier would even be available to play.  Nonetheless, he was leading the National League in RBIs for much of the season before the Dodgers quit putting people on base.  He still is third at 55.

The trouble with him is that his numbers are good, but not quite eye-opening.  He's hitting .291 with 10 homers, 23 doubles, and a triple.  Again, very good numbers, but not huge enough to pop out to you.  Still, he's been in the All-Star Game the last couple of years, so if healthy, I can see him getting in as an injury replacement.

A.J. Ellis - I wrote a column on May 27 stating Ellis should be an All-Star.  I still believe he's good enough to be there.  His numbers are good, especially for a catcher: .287 AVG, .413 OBP (5th in the majors), 6 homers, 8 doubles, 27 RBIs.  On defense, he's thrown out 21 base stealers, good for fourth in the majors. 

The problem?  The NL has too many good catchers.  Look at the three guys who are going to the All-Star Game: Buster Posey (starter), Yadier Molina, and Carlos Ruiz.  There's no doubt that these three guys are at the top of their game.  And like it or not, even I have to admit that it's hard to get Ellis in there, even with his big year.  Unfortunately, that's just the way it is.

I'd like to remind everyone that in addition to the all the talk about snubs, there's also the inevitable injury replacements once players start pulling out.  That's how Ethier got in last year, and it was a good thing for the Cardinals since he helped get the NL home field advantage with an RBI single.  So while it's OK to be disappointed for now, remember that the Dodgers may soon have more than two representatives by the time July 10 rolls around.