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5 Oakland Athletics Who Deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Consideration

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5 Oakland Athletics Who Deserve 2015 MLB All-Star Consideration

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The Oakland Athletics have not had an ideal season, as they are last in the AL West and look irrelevant in the playoff race. However, they have a few players that are putting together quality seasons, and since rules stipulate that each team have at least one all-star, Oakland will be represented at the 2015 MLB All Star Game. Here are five A's who deserve consideration for the American League All-Star Team.

5. Billy Burns

Billy Burns Oakland Athletics_Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports2
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

5. Billy Burns

Billy Burns Oakland Athletics_Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports2
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

Burns is having a nice season with a .323 average and 14 stolen bases. Beating out the likes of Mike Trout and Adam Jones for spots on the all-star team among center fielders will be difficult, but the youngster has been good enough this season to warrant consideration for one of the final few spots on the team.

4. Tyler Clippard

Tyler Clippard Closer Oakland Athletics
Rick Osentoski - USATODAY Sports

4. Tyler Clippard

Tyler Clippard Closer Oakland Athletics
Rick Osentoski - USATODAY Sports

With just 10 saves on the season, Clippard may not stand out enough to win a spot on the all-star team, but that's primarily a byproduct of playing on a bad team that generates so few save opportunities. Everybody in the league knows that Clippard is one of the better relief pitchers in baseball, and since the game "matters," Clippard should get some consideration for a spot on the team.

3. Josh Reddick

Right fielder Josh Reddick Oakland Athletics
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

3. Josh Reddick

Right fielder Josh Reddick Oakland Athletics
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

Reddick is another member of the As who faces an uphill battle because he plays on a bad team, but he's done enough to be in the discussion. He has 23 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs, and among American League right fielders, he ranks third in RBIs and fourth in OPS. Those numbers don't put him on the team automatically, but they give him a strong argument to be included on the AL All-Star Team.

2. Stephen Vogt

Stephen Vogt Oakland Athletics Catcher
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

2. Stephen Vogt

Stephen Vogt Oakland Athletics Catcher
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

If it weren't for the voters in Kansas City, Vogt would be the frontrunner to be the American League's starting catcher. He's put together a fantastic first half, as he leads American League catchers in home runs, RBIs and OPS. If the American League wants to put the best team possible on the field, Vogt better be behind the plate for most of the game.

1. Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

1. Sonny Gray

Sonny Gray Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher
Kyle Terada - USATODAY Sports

Not only should Gray be on the AL All-Star Team, but there's a strong argument to be made for him being the starter. He's the only American League starter with an ERA under 2, he's fifth in the league in strikeouts and somehow he's managed to win eight games on a bad team in less than half a season. There's no question whether Gray will be at the Mid-Summer Classic; we can only debate whether or not he pitches the first inning.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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