Why Giants' Randy Rodriguez is an All-Star players picked, but don't want to face

San Francisco Chronicle​

3 days ago

ATLANTA — San Francisco Giants reliever Randy Rodríguez doesn't much like talking about himself, even at the All-Star Game media event. He's always polite but provides just the briefest answers to both English and Spanish speaking media alike while flashing his boyish smile, complete with braces.
The hitters he faces will do the talking for him. Rodríguez, in just his first full big-league season, made it in off the player ballot because opponents know exactly how good he is.
Monday at All-Star interview sessions at the Roxy Theater across from Truist Park, Padres third baseman Manny Machado told the Chronicle that he's a big fan of Rodríguez's and he'd made it a point to go introduce himself to Rodríguez right away.
'He's been awesome,' Machado said. 'He's a very nice kid, very quiet, but man — watching him from the other side? We do not want him to come into games. He's really tough, he's got a quick arm, his leg kick is different and obviously, he can throw 101-102 with an elite breaking ball.'
Rodríguez made an impression when Machado hit a 109 mph lineout to left on a two-strike slider in a game against the Giants on April 29.
'When I met him, the first thing he told me was 'Why'd you hit it so hard off of me?' I told him, 'But it was an out!'' Machado said with a laugh.
Machado marveled that the only two runs Rodríguez gave up over the first two and a half months of the season came in that same game, on a two-run homer by Xander Bogaerts — and it's only been two more earned runs (and four total) since.
'The fact he's an All-Star and he's not a closer? That tells you a lot,' Machado said. 'That guy is very impressive.'
Rodriguez isn't even necessarily a traditional setup man — he comes in whenever needed, no matter the inning, and his role makes him something of an anomaly as an All-Star. This is one reason the players' ballot is so welcome — they know how valuable he is. Plus, that 0.86 ERA, second among MLB relievers, is hard to ignore.
'Am I surprised that he's here? No, absolutely not,' Sacramento A's DH-outfielder Brent Rooker said. 'I think I saw about three pitches from him (before flying out) and I was like, 'All right, that's about as good as it gets from a relief arm.' If you looked at his stuff in a vacuum, the profile, the way, the way he pitches with it, he's very deserving to be here.'
A's shortstop Jacob Wilson has had the distinct non-pleasure of facing Rodríguez three times. He was hitting a big-league best .372 in June, but Wilson has yet to crack Rodríguez, going oh-fer.
'It's a tough at-bat,' he said. 'He's got such a great arm, and to be voted in by the players means you have a ton of respect from everyone in the league.'
The Dodgers, like the Padres, see a little more of Rodríguez than they'd like. Will Smith actually has success against him (he's 3-for-5) but the Dodgers catcher voted for Rodríguez because he's seen how tough he is on everyone else.
'He throws hard, his fastball touches 100 and he's got a good slider and he's been locating it this year,' Smith said. 'He's just good, and I know we'll be facing him again this year. It's cool to see him being honored.'
Cardinals utility player Brendan Donovan faced Rodríguez at Rickwood Field last year and drew a walk back when Rodríguez's arm slot was a bit lower than it is now.
'I'm mostly just excited for him because this is his first time here and it's extremely hard to do that where he pitches,' Donovan said. 'I'm glad I got to first base against him — not a lot of people do.'
Fellow Giants All-Star Logan Webb thinks the All-Star Game is just the first of many such honors for Rodríguez. 'I think the way he's pitching, Randy's going to get some Cy Young votes,' Webb said.
Rodríguez was in no way overwhelmed by the hoopla of the All-Star events. He's happy his parents, Martin and Yesenia, flew from the Dominican Republic for the game, and he's just trying to meet as many players as possible. He said he'll be ready to pitch if and when National League manager Dave Roberts calls on him.
He's not buying any of the hype, though. Being an All-Star is a nice distinction, but even at 25, Rodríguez knows this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sport.
'I don't think that being an All-Star says anything,' Rodríguez said, with Erwin Higueros interpreting. 'The way I look at it, I've just got to perform every single game.'