SAN FRANCISCO — A week after calling up top prospect Bryce Eldridge, the Giants have another prospect joining the big league team — albeit in a more limited capacity.
Catcher Jesus Rodriguez, acquired in the trade that sent closer Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees, has been added to the taxi squad ahead of the Giants’ final homestand of the year. San Francisco doesn’t plan to activate him for the team’s final six games of the regular season, but Rodriguez will spend this week catching bullpens, taking batting practice and being around the team.
“They told me to get to know the guys here, get to know how everything works, just be around the guys and get used to it,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez, 23, didn’t spend a ton of time catching in the Yankees’ system due to New York’s abundance of catching prospects, catching only 172 games over six seasons in the minors. Along with catching, Rodriguez has played first base, second base, third base and left field to get his bat in the lineup. As of now, Rodriguez is a full-time catcher.
“We’re excited about him,” said catching coach Alex Burg. “This is his first year catching a ton, so it’s exciting to have him back there. You see the arm, the arm is impressive. He can really throw. It’s quick and has really good carry. He has a chance to be a truly plus thrower.
“Catching wise, it’s getting there. It’s much better than I expected. We got him out there today and it’s fun to see. He’s a worker, which I love. He’s willing to listen, willing to learn, wants to get better. All those things are super exciting for us and for the organization.”
Regardless of position, Rodriguez has showcased a fascinating hit tool. Over 406 games, Rodriguez owns a career slash line of .309/.395/.453 with 32 home runs. Upon joining Triple-A Sacramento, Rodriguez hit .322/.399/.401 with two homers and 16 RBIs across 39 games.
“He’s my favorite guy to hit behind,” Eldridge said. “If there’s two outs, I know if I’m standing on deck, I’m going to get up to the plate. Even if he’s 0-2, he’s one of those guys you always expect to get a hit.”
Along with learning San Francisco’s pitching staff, the next week will provide Rodriguez with an opportunity to work alongside fellow catchers Patrick Bailey and Andrew Knizner. Bailey enters Monday leading all defenders in Fielding Run Value (31) and is on his way to winning a second consecutive Gold Glove Award, while Knizner has caught 302 games in the majors over seven seasons.
“Just watching those guys, they have a lot of experience so I’m happy to be here and around them,” Rodriguez said.
“When I brought it up to them that (Jesus) might come up, they were like, ‘Good, bring him. We want to teach him,’” Burg said. “This group has been incredible. You watch those two, Knizner and Bailey look like brothers the way that they interact. They have so much fun together, so to bring in another good kid into that mix is going to be a lot of fun. I know it’s only a week, but I’m excited to watch them go through their whole routines together.”
Rodriguez won’t make his debut this week barring a change of plans, but Melvin said Rodriguez will get a “hard look” during spring training and be considered for next year’s roster. Given the Giants’ lack of production from their backstops — the San Francisco’s catchers have an MLB-worst .592 OPS — Rodriguez could play his way onto the Opening Day roster as an offensively-minded backup catcher.
“I think it shows that they see us as a big piece of the team next year,” Eldridge said. “I think it’s a big thing kind of getting it out of the way and giving us a taste of it and what it’s going to be like. … For me, let me work some things out and get some struggles out of the way. It gives us a lot of confidence being here and being a part of this team.”