Francisco Rodriguez named Brewers only 2015 MLB All Star

Major League Baseball announced the National League and American League reserves and pitchers for the 2015 All Star game today and only one Brewers player was among them.

Francisco Rodriguez has earned his sixth All Star nod after a sterling season as the Brewers closer, one of the few players on the team who has really performed at a high enough level to be considered one of the best at his position.

In 31 appearances this season, Rodriguez has notched 18 saves with a 1.45 ERA, a 0.871 WHIP, and a 2.47 FIP. Over 31 innings, he has struck out 36 batters while walking just nine. For his career, Rodriguez is ninth all-time in saves with 366, just one behind Jeff Reardon.

It could be argued there are more deserving closers -- and non-closing relievers -- for an All Star nod around the league, but baseball rules dictate the Brewers get at least one All Star and it's difficult to say that any other player on the roster deserves it more.

Adam Lind has had an excellent season thus far, but first base is a crowded pool and Lind certainly is not among the top few players at the position. The same could be said of Ryan Braun. Others like Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez have missed time due to injury and have underperformed a bit this season. And with the Brewers notching just a 36-48 record so far, it's unlikely any of their fringe candidates would have gotten the nod -- individual achievements are often at least a little bit tied to team success.

No Brewers players are among the final vote nominees.