Francisco Rodriguez Will Likely be Brewers’ Lone All-Star

I can’t believe that I am writing this, but there is no doubt about it. After last year where they owned first place for the greater part of the season and had four all-stars, there are not many choices this season. While Michael Blazek have been outstanding from the bullpen and Jean Segura is much improved at the plate, Francisco Rodriguez is the only logical choice for the Milwaukee Brewers representative in the 2015 all-star game.

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He hasn’t had many save chances all year, but when he has Rodriguez has made the most of his opportunities. So far he is a perfect 14-14 in save chances and he has ERA that now sits at 1.04. Pitching in just 26 innings, Rodriguez also has already struck out 31 opposing hitters.

Known for 20-minutes of terror in the ninth inning, Rodriguez has retired the side in order in 9 of his 14 save chances. Instead of facing his normal drama, he has quickly retired the side in order more often than not in 2015.

Not only has he been great this season, but he has been outstanding in his past year and a half as the Brewers’ closer. Though last year he was not originally brought in as the ninth inning man, he earned the job out of spring training and ran with it. Yes, he was hampered by the home run ball all season, but he also was an all-star representative and was able to save 44 games and lead the league with 66 games finished.

As Joe Block’s tweet shows, he has been one of the best for this past two years often mowing down the opposition in order.

This season, Rodriguez has already passed Troy Percival and Randy Myers on the all-time saves list. Currently he is seated at ninth on the list. If he can continue even at his limited usage this season, he should easily surpass Jeff Reardon and Joe Nathan and move into seventh by season’s end.

Before the season began, I for one was against the re-signing of K-Rod, but he has greatly exceeded every expectation that I had for him. As the year began, I expected him to be fighting for his closers role by the time the year ended, but instead he is fighting for another all-star bid.

With a team going nowhere and greatly underachieving, Rodriguez is certainly living up to his contract. If he remains on the roster through the middle of July, there is no way that he is not the Brewers lone representative in Cincinnati.

Next: The Emergence of Michael Blazek