Liam Hendriks Named An All-Star, While Cease Gets Snubbed Again

On Sunday morning, the MLB announced that Liam Hendriks had been added to the American League All-Star team for the third time in his career.  This is the second consecutive season that Hendriks has been named an AL All-Star with the White Sox. In the process he became the first White Sox reliever to accomplish that feat since Bobby Jenks in 2006-07. Hendriks posted a 2.35 ERA, 45 strikeouts, 18 saves, and a 0.95 WHIP in 30 appearances this season. After a rough April, the White Sox closer rebounded nicely, with 15 consecutive scoreless appearances since May 16th. His 18 saves are tied for fourth in the AL, while his 45 strikeouts give him an impressive 13.21 strikeouts per nine innings. Jordon Romano, of the Toronto Blue Jays, joined Hendriks as a replacement for Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. Hendriks being named as an All-Star comes as no surprise. The 33 year old Australian is the two-time reigning Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year. Last year he earned the save at the Midsummer Classic. What is surprising is Dylan Cease's noticeable omission. Despite having better statistics in every major category, Cease was left off the initial roster in favor of Paul Blackburn and Nestor Cortes. Blackburn is the Athletics' only representative. But Cortes has no business being on the roster over Cease. Cease has the same amount of quality starts (6), more wins (8), a lower ERA (2.30), lower opponent OPS (.618), more strikeouts ( 142), more strikeouts per nine innings (13.09), more starts with no earned runs allowed (8), and more starts with 10 plus strikeouts (4). The only category Cortes has Cease beat is WHIP. Cease shouldn't only be an All-Star; he should be in the thick of the AL Cy Young conversation. His first-half numbers are on par with Robbie Ray's from last season when he took home the Cy Young Award. It stings more for Cease since he has never been named an All-Star, even if he would be unable to pitch in the actual game. Not only could he not crack the initial roster, but the MLB would not even name him as a replacement. Cease has a legitimate reason to be upset. Entering Sunday's game, Cease's 142 strikeouts ranked second in the AL, while his 2.30 ERA is the seventh best in the MLB. Those are unprecedented first-half numbers for a pitcher to have and not be recognized as an All-Star. "I feel really bad for him," White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz told Daryl Van Schouwen. "This is a kid that's had probably one of the best first halves out of all the pitchers in baseball. I feel for him. I know it's something he really wanted. If something does open up, I hope he's considered because his numbers really do speak for themselves." His former teammate Carlos Rodon also offered his support. "He put together a first half better than a lot of guys on that list," Rodon said. Given Cease's talent, there will be plenty of opportunities down the road for the 26-yer old. But that does not take away from the fact that Cease was snubbed.