New York Mets: Brandon Nimmo missing from MLB All-Star ballot

The best hitter on the New York Mets this season, Brandon Nimmo, isn’t even on the ballot for this year’s All-Star Game.

The online voting booths have opened for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. A glaring omission from the ballots, New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is going to need a flood of write-ins to gain any attention.

The chances of Nimmo staring in the All-Star Game are slim whether his name is on it or not. Washington Nationals fans will ensure Bryce Harper takes at least one of the spots in the outfield. The other two should go to more established stars.

However, there is an argument to be made about Nimmo.

When the polls opened, Nimmo was second on the Mets in WAR behind only Jacob deGrom. This hardly qualifies as All-Star worthy.

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The better number to look at is OPS. Nimmo’s 1.004 OPS at the start of action on Friday is tied with Manny Machado. Only five other players are higher.

Unfortunately, Nimmo doesn’t have enough at-bats to qualify in this category. I’ve already made note of how he’ll need help from the manager to earn an All-Star appearance. Hopefully, Mickey Callaway gets the message and keeps Nimmo in the lineup as much as possible.

Nimmo is off to a tremendous start. To see him absent from All-Star ballots is a huge blow to the fans who support him. This is because each team gets only three outfielders on the ballot and they went to Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, and Jay Bruce.

I still do think Nimmo has an opportunity to play in this year’s midsummer classic. He doesn’t need the votes to help him out. He needs National League manager Dave Roberts to acknowledge the terrific year Nimmo is having.

The Mets won’t have too many All-Stars representing the orange and blue in D.C. this summer. Nimmo, the kid no one expected to become the heart of this team, is pleading his case with each plate appearance.

If he keeps it up, leaving him in New York will be tough.

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Do you think Nimmo earns his first All-Star appearance this season?