The major league leader in home runs will be watching the Home Run Derby from the sidelines on Monday night. Jose Bautista, Toronto’s utility slugger, has 24 home runs at the break, won’t be swinging for the fences, but it’s not because of an injury or lack of willingness or anything of the like; he simply wasn’t asked to. MLB, in all their infinite wisdom, chose to overlook the unexpected slugger, and that fact has fans and players alike confused and upset.

Why isn’t Bautista in the Derby? The league can’t be concerned about a Blue Jay participate, as Bautista’s teammate Vernon Wells is participating. Having two guys from the same team participate can’t be the reason either. In 2004, Miguel Tejada and Rafael Palmeiro of the Orioles both participated. Boston’s David Ortiz, who is participating thanks to his 18 homers this season, has said that it is “a joke” that Bautista has been snubbed. Maybe Bautista’s star power just isn’t high enough, but isn’t the story of the underdog one that everybody wants to see, even if he is an underdog who leads everybody else?

Some argue that people want too much. Nobody ever expected Bautista to make an all-star team, but as soon as he did, people were upset that he was not asked to participate in the Home Run Derby. But face it, the only reason Bautista is an all-star is because he has hit 24 home runs. Regardless of what else he’s done this season, the major league leader for home runs should always asked to participate in the Derby.

So Bautista will make an appearance in Los Angeles, and may see an at-bat or two, but after being announced as 2010’s lead long-baller, he’ll be forgotten among the Pujols’ and the Jeter’s of the squads. It’s a fine slap-in-the-face for a guy truly playing well above what was expected of him, but isn’t seeing the benefits because he is not as marketable due to his history and his club. MLB has screwed up again; they’ve just told every almost-perennial all-star-and-below caliber player that it’s just not worth it.