For the second summer in a row, Carlos Rodón will participate in the All-Star festivities. Though snubbed initially, the Giants starter was selected as a replacement to pitch for the National League in next week’s All-Star Game in Dodger Stadium.
“It’s an honor,” Rodón, 29, said from the Giants’ clubhouse Tuesday.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler called Rodón Tuesday morning to inform him of his second career All-Star selection. Rodón is tied for the MLB lead in Fangraphs WAR among pitchers with former Giants ace Kevin Gausman and has racked up the fifth most strikeouts.
Rodón noted players like Logan Webb, Dylan Cease and Ty France as deserving players who have still yet to make an All-Star team. Webb, Rodón’s locker neighbor, shared a laugh while eavesdropping in on Rodón’s interview while studying Arizona’s scouting report.
“Any time you’re named to an All-Star team and get to be a part of it, it’s always a special moment,” Rodón said. “I know a lot of guys look forward to it throughout their careers, and sometimes they never get to be an All-Star, sometimes guys get snubbed. There’s a lot of things that have to fall into place that are sometimes out of your control. I was fortunate enough to be named after. I’m thankful.”
Rodón remembers watching Josh Hamilton — a fellow North Carolina native — compete in the 2008 Home Run Derby. He said he’s looking forward to seeing his former college roommate, Trea Turner, who will be one of four Dodgers playing in the midsummer classic.
Whether or not Rodón actually pitches in the exhibition remains to be seen. The Giants haven’t lined up their rotation for the post-break run quite yet, and Kapler said he and NL team manager Brian Snitker had a conversation about it. Rodón is open to pitching if things work out well.
On the year, Rodón is 8-5 in 17 starts with a 2.70 ERA. He leads the NL both in FIP and home runs per nine innings. His last start, he went the distance for the firs time since his no-hitter last April, striking out 12 Padres in an SF win.
The Giants signed Rodón to a two-year, $44 million contract this winter, though the second year includes an opt-out after Rodón pitches at least 110 innings. He’s already at 100 with one more start scheduled — Thursday against Milwaukee — before the All-Star break.
Said Kapler: “Independent of his performance, independent of all the strikeouts, the contributions to victories, the fact that he’s just pitched for us — every time through the rotation, taking the ball, giving us a chance to win, has been healthy. That alone is huge. And probably indicative of the type of year he’s about to have.”