Corey Seager All-Star addition continues to ignore Rangers teammate's 2024 accolades

The All-Star break is finally here, and the festivities will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers. One Rangers slugger has been added to the American League All-Star roster late in the game. Star shortstop and reigning World Series MVP Corey Seager was selected to replace Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa.

Seager has certainly earned a chance to be an All-Star. The 30-year-old shortstop is hitting .270 with 18 home runs, 48 RBI, and an .834 OPS while also posting a 3.1 WAR. He was second in the American League MVP race last season and earned his third Silver Slugger Award.

However, one of Seager's teammates continues to be ignored in the All-Star selection process. Third baseman Josh Smith has a 3.7 WAR on the season and is hitting .293 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI, and an .861 OPS ... yet he was still passed over and will not be joining his Rangers teammates for the festivities.

Texas Rangers' Josh Smith ignored once again, not selected as an All-Star

It is simply preposterous that Smith is not an All-Star. While the Rangers have had a disappointing season, Smith has been one of the few bright spots, and he certainly deserved the opportunity to be in the Midsummer Classic. Seager earned it as well, but he definitely had the edge because of name recognition.

The 26-year-old Smith has bounced back nicely after a disappointing 2023 season. While he helped the Rangers bring home their first World Series title in franchise history, he batted just .185 and was mostly playing behind Josh Jung, who is currently on the injured list. But Smith has flipped the script in 2024 and has helped keep the Rangers afloat as they've dealt with crushing injuries.

Seager is the third member of the Rangers to be selected to the American League's roster. Second baseman Marcus Semien and right-hander Kirby Yates were previously added, and Semien will start at second base after Jose Altuve backed out.

Seager will not start, as Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. received more votes than he did. While Seager will likely appear, he doesn't provide manager Bruce Bochy with the luxury of flexibility. Had Smith gotten the chance, he could've been deployed as a second baseman, third baseman or shortstop if his skipper was in a pinch. What a shame.