Ranking the 3 biggest Mets All-Star game snubs

2. Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo

Brandon Nimmo isn't having the typical Brandon Nimmo year. First and foremost, he's stayed on the field. He's played in 79 of the Mets first 87 games, and that includes some missed on the COVID IL. His durability has allowed the baseball world to finally appreciate how good he has been for a while now.

Nimmo has also been more aggressive than he has been in years past. His swing rate is at 46.1%, the highest it's been since 2016. His aggressiveness is up, and so is his hard contact as he's hitting the ball harder than he ever has.

Nimmo has slashed .271/.356/.438 with eight home runs and 32 RBI. While he might not have the .400 OBP he usually does, he's done a lot of damage with the pitches he's been given to hit.

Nimmo is fifth among National League outfielders with a 130 WRC+, trailing Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Kyle Schwarber, and Starling Marte who are all all-stars.

Nimmo ranks second with a 2.9 fWAR among National League outfielders and 11th in the National League as a whole. Nine of the eleven ahead of him are all-stars.

Nimmo has been elite with the bat and also his glove. He ranks in the 92nd percentile in outs above average. His all-star play has been a big reason the Mets have been as good as they are and he deserves to be in Los Angeles next week.

1. Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker

Going into the season I had lost all confidence in Taijuan Walker. He was arguably the worst pitcher in baseball in the second half last season after being an all-star in the first half and I just thought that was it for him. Once Tylor Megill got off to his good start I assumed when Jacob deGrom returned he'd be the odd man out in the rotation.

Things changed. 2021 first half Taijuan Walker is back and better than ever. It's a shame he wasn't chosen as an all-star but he's probably one of the next guys up if there is an injury. He's been that good.

In 15 starts this season, Walker has gone 7-2 with a 2.63 ERA. He's allowed just four home runs in 85.2 innings pitched (0.4 HR/9) and has an ERA+ of 152.

In a season that has seen Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill all miss significant time, Taijuan Walker has been the Mets most consistent and reliable starter. He has made four starts of at least seven innings pitched with no runs allowed, that's tied for second in all of baseball.

Since May 12th Walker has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 starts, pitching to a 2.29 ERA in that stretch. He's really only had one bad start all season and that was when he was working himself back from an injury facing the same opponent for the third straight time.

Clayton Kershaw and Luis Castillo both made the all-star team despite missing significant time. Walker has made four more starts than Kershaw and three more than Castillo. I understand that Castillo has to be in it as the Reds representative but Kershaw does not at all, and there were plenty of pitchers who deserved a nod.

There are always pitchers who pitch too close to the game so they don't end up playing, but Walker certainly got snubbed out of a spot to pitch in the all-star game for the second straight year with the first half he's had. Hopefully, something happens and Taijuan finds his way in Los Angeles next week.