Angels’ David Fletcher gets snubbed by MLB for fake All-Star teams

The MLB All-Star Game will not be played in 2020, but that hasn’t stopped the league from picking a couple of Angels players and snubbing another.

Major League Baseball have officially passed the half-way point of the 2020 season. This would normally mark that point of the year where the Angels and the rest of the league take their mid-season break and celebrate the best of the league at annual All-Star Game.

Well, not in 2020.

As we all know, the MLB All-Star Game was yet another victim of COVID-19 and 2020. Set to be played at Dodger Stadium on July 14th, it was instead cancelled due to the Coronavirus delaying the season, and the increased need for social distancing. With next year’s game set for Atlanta’s Truist Park, the Dodgers were awarded the 2022 game.

While the game itself won’t be played in 2020, that hasn’t stopped Major League Baseball from putting together their own simulated version of the All-Star teams.

The Angels are fictitiously represented by two of the game’s best in Mike Trout (CF) and Anthony Rendon (3B). Trout, while in a down year, is hitting .255/.333/.564 with 10 home runs, 25 RBI,  and a wRC+ of 138. Meanwhile, Rendon is among the league leaders in fWAR (1.7 – 5th) and wRC+ (171 – 10th), while slashing .316/.442/.541 with six home runs and 17 RBI.

However, there is one noticeable exemption. I’ll give you one hint:

Where in the world is David Fletcher?

David Fletcher leads the American League with 43 hits, is 12th in fWAR (1.4), and is the 4th toughest player in the league to strikeout in 2020 (10.7%). He’s played masterfully at both third base and shortstop, covering for early season injuries to both Rendon and Andrelton Simmons, and he’s the catalyst for an offense that is 10th in the league in runs scored.

With that said, it’s tough to find a good spot for him on the roster. Fletcher’s movement around the diamond may hurt his cause a bit here, as Rendon’s spot at third base and Tim Anderson’s selection at shortstop are both rock-solid. Even Brandon Lowe’s appointment at second base (another of Fletcher’s many hats) is solidified by his 1.9 fWAR (3rd) and 188 wRC+ (2nd).

In fairness to Major League Baseball, they didn’t select back-ups for any of these positions, and Fletcher would undoubtedly have been selected in such a role. However, CBS Sports did, and they STILL left Fletcher off of the squad, appointing Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette, and DJ LeMahieu as the back-ups at his respective positions.

Of course, none of this takes into account the most important factor in All-Star selection; the fans. Fletcher’s budding popularity around the league would undoubtedly warrant him enough votes to make the team in some capacity, whether it be as a starter or as a contender for the Final Vote. Everyone loves a grinder, and Fletcher is the epitome of what every player should be on the field.

Regardless, even in a year without an All-Star Game, and despite playing his heart out, David Fletcher still managed to get overlooked. No worries though, he is comfortable being the league’s best kept secret.