Brandon Nimmo, Christian Walker among notable NL 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.

Brandon Nimmo, outfielder, New York Mets

Nimmo seemed to be frustrated to learn he was not on the roster, attributing it to him "not winning the popularity contest." His numbers certainly paint a strong picture for him as one of the National League's top outfielders.

Through Sunday Nimmo's .811 OPS ranked fifth among NL outfielders while his 2.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) ranked sixth. Both numbers and rankings place him ahead of a couple of outfielders on the roster (his OPS is higher than those of Teoscar Hernandez and Jackson Merrill while his WAR is ahead of Hernandez and Fernando Tatis Jr.).

It is possible Nimmo gets added to the roster as Tatis Jr. (named as a starter) will not be participating in the game due to injury.

Francisco Lindor, shortstop, New York Mets

Lindor was the other Mets player who felt he had a place on the roster, but his argument is probably not quite as sound as Nimmo's.

Lindor has been on a roll for the past couple of months, but a terrible April really hurt his overall numbers.

Even with that he is fifth among NL shortstops in WAR and and fourth in OPS.

His problem: There is a logjam of talent at shortstop and the three players selected ahead of him at the position (Los Angeles' Mookie Betts, Washington's CJ Abrams and Cincinnati's Elly De La Cruz) are all deserving.

Like Nimmo, he still might end up getting a spot as Betts (also voted in as a starter) will not be participating due to injury.

Christian Walker, first base, Arizona Diamondbacks

Along with being one of the top trade-deadline rental targets at this year's trade deadline (July 30), Walker has been one of the best hitting first basemen in the league.

His 22 home runs lead all National League first basemen, while he is also third in OPS (.853) and WAR (2.8).

Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) are certainly valid selections over him, but his numbers are better at this point than Pete Alonso (New York Mets).

Walker might also have a path to the game as Harper is another player that could bow out due to injury.

Jake Irvin, starting pitcher, Washington Nationals

The Nationals might not be a playoff contender this season, but they have a nice core coming along they can build around. One of those players, shortstop CJ Abrams, has a spot on this year's All-Star team. Irvin certainly had a strong argument.

As of Sunday he ranks fourth in ERA (2.80), second in WAR (3.0) and fourth in WHIP (1.00), while also striking out more than eight batters per nine innings.

Jesse Chavez, relief pitcher, Atlanta Braves

It can be really difficult for middle relief pitchers to get a spot in the All-Star game, but Chavez certainly had an argument for the Braves as he has been one of the most effective relief pitchers in all of baseball this season. What makes it even more impressive is that he is doing it at age 40.

In 37 2/3 innings this season he has a 1.67 ERA and if nothing else it might have been cool to see a long-time veteran get a chance to pitch in the All-Star game.