Kansas City's Alex Gordon Snubbed From 2011 MLB All-Star Team; Aaron Crow Named Royals All-Star

Coming off the heels of another loss on Saturday evening in Denver, Royals fans are looking for any good news that can hang their hats on at the moment. Yesterday it was announced the Royals had signed highly-touted 16-year old Dominican star Elier Hernandez and today rookie relief pitcher Aaron Crow has been named to the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star team.

Not to take anything away from what Crow has done out of the Royals bullpen, but Alex Gordon was a true snub from the 2011 All-Star game.

Gordon, who went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI's in Saturday's 9-6 loss to the Rockies, is in the midst of his finest season as a major leaguer. Gordon is featuring a .301/.368/.491 line at the plate, including 10 home runs and 47 RBI. While there may be bigger names in left field in the American League, none are having the season Gordon is as he already already a 3.4 WAR (wins above replacement) and as of now his OPS+ number is 141.

By comparison, four-time All Star Carl Crawford who just signed a huge $142 million deal with the Boston Red Sox during the off season, is hitting just .243/.275/.384 with six home runs and 31 RBI.  His OPS+ is just 78, and his career high was last season in which he had an OPS+ of 136.

Gordon is currently third in the American League with 98 hits, eighth in total bases (180), third in doubles (24), seventh in triples (7), sixth in extra base hits (38), and the list goes on and on. What Gordon is doing on the field during the 2011 season has been overshadowed by the poor play of the team on the field, notably the Royals starting pitching.

This wouldn't have been an All-Star selection circa 2004 when Ken Harvey was selected because the Royals simply have to have someone represented in the All-Star game, this year Gordon deserved the nod and if the All-Star outfield played out like a true game, Gordon is indeed the best of the best among American League left fielders so far in 2011. However Gordon did make the final five for final player than can be voted into the All-Star game by the fans. You can place your vote by doing so here.

As for Crow, his selection is a great story for the 24-year old rookie and University of Missouri alum. After struggling as a starter since being picked in the first round of 2009 Major League Draft, Crow went to the bullpen as has been a solid contributor to the Royals bullpen this season. Crow has a 2-1 record with a 1.36 ERA in 39.2 innings pitched. He has 39 strikeouts against 17 walks. Many Royals fans have wanted to see Crow stretched out back to starter because of the struggles in the Kansas City starting rotation, but for now Crow is an All-Star reliever.

The other 65 All-Stars named on Sunday are the following-

American League

DH - David Ortiz Boston Red Sox

C - Alex Avila Detroit Tigers

1B - Adrian Gonzalez Red Sox

2B - Robinson Cano New York Yankees

SS - Derek Jeter Yankees

3B - Alex Rodriguez Yankees

OF - Jose Bautista Toronto Blue Jays (lead in votes)

OF - Curtis Granderson Yankees

OF - Josh Hamilton Texas Rangers

Reserves

P - Chris Perez Cleveland Indians

P - Jose Valverde Tigers

P - Aaron Crow Kansas City Royals

P - Josh Beckett Red Sox

P - Mariano Rivera Yankees

P - Gio Gonzalez Oakland Athletics

P - Felix Hernandez Seattle Mariners

P - Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers

P - Brandon League Mariners

P - David Price Tampa Bay Rays

P - James Shields Rays

P - Jered Weaver Los Angeles Angels

P - C.J. Wilson Rangers

IF - Matt Wieters Baltimore Orioles

OF - Jacoby Ellsbury Red Sox

OF - Carlos Quentin Chicago White Sox

IF - Ansdrubal Cabera Indians

IF - Miguel Cabrera Tigers

IF - Howie Kendrick Angels

OF - Michael Cuddyer Minnesota Twins

IF - Russell Martin Yankees

OF - Matt Joyce Rays

IF - Adrian Beltre Rangers

IF - Michael Young Rangers

National League

C - Brian McCann Atlanta Braves

1B - Prince Fielder Milwaukee Brewers

2B - Rickie Weeks Brewers

SS - Jose Reyes New York Mets

3B - Placido Polanco Philadelphia Phillies

OF - Ryan Braun Brewers (lead NL in votes)

OF - Lance Berkman St. Louis Cardinals

OF - Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers

Reserves

P - Jonny Venters Braves

P - Clayton Kershaw Dodgers

P - Cole Hamels Phillies

P - Jair Jurrjens Braves

P - Joel Hanrahan Pittsburgh Pirates

P - Heath Bell San Diego Padres

P - Matt Cain San Francisco Giants

P - Roy Halladay Phillies

P - Tim Lincecum Giants

P - Brian Wilson Giants

P - Ryan Vogelsong Giants

P - Cliff Lee Phillies

P - Tyler Clippard Washington Nationals

OF - Justin Upton Arizona Diamondbacks

IF - Chipper Jones Braves

IF - Starlin Castro Chicago Cubs

IF - Brandon Phillips Cincinnati Reds

OF - Jay Bruce Reds

IF - Joey Votto Reds

IF - Troy Tulowitzki Colorado Rockies

IF - Gaby Sanchez Florida Marlins

OF - Hunter Pence Houston Astros

OF - Carlos Beltran Mets

OF - Matt Holliday Cardinals

IF - Yadier Molina Cardinals