PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Endy Rodriguez made his Major League debut on Monday with pitcher Quinn Priester. He's the second part of the much anticipated two-headed catching situation in AAA, but he actually caught upon his call-up.
What is the plan with Rodriguez now that he, Henry Davis and Austin Hedges are all on the roster?
"With Henry we will find the situation and time table when we think it's appropriate for him to catch," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "Endy is going to get a bulk of the catching and then Hedges will catch a few days a week, maybe catch at the end of games because of how elite he is defensively."
Hedges stays in the role that the franchise envisioned for him quickly into the season, as a back-up catcher and mentor for the two young guys from the minors. It may have taken a little bit longer than expected, but the team now has the veteran catcher with a pair of versatile catchers/infielders/outfielders.
Davis has just played right field with GM Ben Cherington saying during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network Sunday he believes his 2020 first-round pick will get a chance to catch, but he's leaving that up to the coaches. The organization doesn't believe he's ready to catch in the majors but while in the race, they wanted to get his bat in the lineup and experience in right.
Rodriguez said he doesn't care where he plays, but said 'I'm going to catch here, it's my position'. He said he learned a lot in AAA about how to call a game and will continue to learn. The 23-year-old feels ready to catch in the majors, the offense was a question mark early in the season, entering June batting .234 with 11 extra base hits.
He was following up a torrid, Honus Wagner Player of the Year in 2022 with a horrid start to 2023. Rodriguez admitted Monday he was 'horrible', saying the weather was too cold. It is the first time he started a season north of Greensboro, North Carolina. And there was more to it than just the weather.
"I tried to do too much, everyone wants to start great in the season and come here," Rodriguez admitted. "I think that was one of the biggest problems for me. Hitting is more in the mind, it's physical, but hitting is in the mind. When we try too much. When I started to think less I got more results for the team."
The switch-hitter was so excited about starting his dream of playing in the majors, he said he cried three times on the trip to Pittsburgh. He's thrilled the organization trusts him. He'll get a couple of months to show he's prepared to handle this level and likely a lot of starts.
"I know I have the talent to play here," Rodriguez said. "I'm ready now."
