Kenley Jansen, Anthony Santander among notable AL All-Star snubs

When it comes to All-Star Games, there are two things sports fans absolutely love about them. Celebrating the players from their favorite teams who made it and complaining about the players who were left out.

We already know who the 2024 National League All-Stars are (see here for starters and here for reserves and pitchers ), so now it is time to look at the most notable players who just missed out.

Logan O'Hoppe, catcher, Los Angels Angels

Playing for the struggling Angels (37-52), O'Hoppe doesn't have the home run (12) or RBI (40) numbers of some of the other standout backstops in the AL. But his output so far this year rightly put him in the conversation for an All-Star spot.

Along with being solid defensively, the 24-year-old is morphing into a reliable bat for L.A. Among AL catchers, O'Hoppe ranks first in slugging (.468), second in OPS (.798) and third in on-base percentage (.330).

Anthony Santander, outfielder, Baltimore Orioles

With two Orioles starters already in the All-Star Game and only so many spots available, Santander was one of the odd men out.

A .233 batting average didn't help Santander's cause. But in the new age of baseball, where other numbers seemingly matter more, his case to make the team was pretty sound.

The 29-year-old is 19th in MLB with 57 RBI and tied for sixth in home runs with 23. Meanwhile, he's also proven to be a difference-maker in left field .

Brent Rooker, designated hitter, Oakland A's

Named an All-Star reserve in 2023, Rooker seemed like a good bet to repeat the feat after an incredible first half. But, even though he's on pace to top last year's output (30 home runs, 69 RBI), the 29-year-old was left off the list.

No designated hitter in the AL has more RBI than Rooker's 54, and he ranks second in home runs (18) and doubles (15). Meanwhile, his OPS (.891) is 15th in MLB, with everyone ranked ahead of him headed to Arlington.

Compared to Cleveland Guardians DH David Fry, who received one of the final spots, Rooker might've gotten the shaft. Fry is slashing an impressive .305/.412/.508, but falls behind the A's slugger in homers (eight) and RBI (33).

Ronel Blanco, starting pitcher, Houston Astros

Few players worthy of All-Star consideration have had the turnaround of Blanco in 2024. After posting a 4.78 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP over his first 24 games, the 30-year-old has emerged since joining the Astros rotation.

Blanco is 8-3 over 16 starts for Houston. Meanwhile, he's tied for 11th in MLB with a 1.01 WHIP and ranks fourth in ERA (2.53).

Kenley Jansen, relief pitcher, Boston Red Sox

The 36-year-old is in the midst of a career renaissance of sorts and seemingly pitched well enough to earn an All-Star spot in the bullpen. However, despite making a compelling argument over others selected, like Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees, the veteran now has the option to take a vacation during the break instead of pitching in Arlington.

In 30 appearances, Jansens has recorded 17 saves with a 2.04 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. That's arguably better than Holmes, who has posted 19 saves with a 3.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP (37 appearances).

Record might have something to do with it, as Holmes' Yankees (55-36) are 5.5 games better than Jansen and the Red Sox (48-40) in the AL East standings.