MVP candidate Jason Kipnis named to 2015 AL All-Star team reserves

As expected, the fan vote botched the AL starter at second base, but Jason Kipnis will still be making it to the mid-summer classic as a reserve. This will be Kip’s second All-Star appearance – his first came in his breakout 2013 season.

It does not feel like a homer statement to say that Kipnis is a legit MVP candidate, which makes the idea that he's only a reserve seem rediculous. Not only does he lead the Cleveland Indians in every stat under the sun, but he also ranks highly in the AL by almost every metric. Coming into Monday night’s game against the  Houston Astros, among qualified batters in the AL, he is first in WAR (4.8), first in doubles (27), tied for fourth in triples (4), tenth in stolen bases (10), third in batting average (.341), second in on-base percentage (.419) and third in wRC+ (162). Among qualified second baseman, he leads every one of those stats except stolen bases.

Despite having an absolutely dominating season, for the most part, Indians closer Cody Allen did not make the cut for the All-Star team. Jason Kipnis will be the only member of the Tribe playing come July 14.

The majority of the AL and NL starters -- which can be seen below -- were revealed early Monday and during a special ESPN "Selection Show" broadcast late Monday night. All that is left now is the last few "Final Vote candidates" who will be determined by a fan vote because apparently choosing all the starters wasn’t good enough to fulfill our voting bloodlust.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Pitchers

RHP: Chris Archer, Rays

RHP: Dellin Betances, Yankees

RHP: Brad Boxberger, Rays

LHP: Zach Britton, Orioles

RHP: Wade Davis, Royals

RHP: Sonny Gray: Athletics

RHP: Kelvin Herrera, Royals

RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners

LHP: Dallas Keuchel, Astros

RHP: Darren O'Day, Orioles

LHP: Glen Perkins, Twins

LHP: David Price, Tigers

LHP: Chris Sale, White Sox

Reserves

C: Russell Martin, Blue Jays

C: Stephen Vogt, Athletics

1B: Albert Pujols, Angels

1B: Mark Teixeira, Yankees

2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians

3B: Manny Machado, Orioles

SS: Jose Iglesias, Tigers

IF/OF: Brock Holt, Red Sox

OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays

OF: Adam Jones, Orioles

OF: J.D. Martinez, Tigers

DH: Prince Fielder, Rangers

Final Vote candidates

Starters

C: Salvador Perez, Royals

1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

2B: Jose Altuve, Astros

3B: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays

SS: Alcides Escobar, Royals

OF: Mike Trout, Angels

OF: Lorenzo Cain, Royals

OF: Alex Gordon, Royals

DH: Nelson Cruz, Mariners

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pitchers

LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants

RHP: A.J. Burnett, Pirates

LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Reds

RHP: Gerrit Cole, Pirates

RHP: Jacob deGrom, Mets

RHP: Zack Greinke, Dodgers

RHP: Mark Melancon, Pirates

RHP: Shelby Miller, Braves

RHP: Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies

RHP: Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers

RHP: Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals

RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals

RHP: Michael Wacha, Cardinals

Reserves

C: Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers

C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers

1B: Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

2B: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies

2B: Joe Panik, Giants

3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies

3B: Kris Bryant, Cubs

SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants

OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

OF: Joc Pederson, Dodgers

OF: A.J. Pollock, D-backs

OF: Justin Upton, Padres

Final Vote candidates

RHP: Johnny Cueto, Reds

RHP: Jeurys Familia, Mets

LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

RHP: Carlos Martinez, Cardinals

SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

Starters

C: Buster Posey, Giants

1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs

2B: Dee Gordon, Marlins

3B: Todd Frazier, Reds

SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals

OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

OF: Matt Holliday, Cardinals

OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

(Courtesy of MLB.com)