INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – These days, Endy Rodriguez garners significant attention.
Bombarded by media on his first day in Indianapolis this week, Rodriguez was asked if he feels any pressure due to the lofty expectations surrounding him. Without allowing the question to finish, Rodriguez responded with a brief, emphatic “no.”
Though Rodriguez has long been a fixture on prospect lists, his profile soared following an impressive breakout campaign in 2022.
His approach to handling the increased attention is straightforward:
“I just try to enjoy the game,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think too much. I just play the game and give 100 percent of myself.”
Rodriguez’s rise to prominence has been swift, as he climbed three levels in 2022 to reach Triple-A. Despite being fast-tracked, Rodriguez unmistakably showcased his star potential, hitting .455 with a 1.208 OPS in just 22 at-bats with Indianapolis. He opened the 2023 season with a home run in his first at-bat.
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For Indianapolis manager Miguel Perez, the term “pressure” is one to avoid when discussing Rodriguez. However, even if it comes up, it doesn’t seem to affect the mature and soft-spoken 22-year-old.
“I don’t think pressure is a word you want to use around Endy,” Perez said. “We may feel pressure, but he doesn’t feel any pressure. He has a slow heart beat. He’s fun to be around and when he watches the game, his lens continues to expand. He’s going to be very special in this game.”
While Rodriguez doesn’t naively ignore the immense expectations to become a standout player in baseball, his simple approach helps alleviate much of that burden.
“At the end of the day it’s just a game,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody thinks it’s a job, and it is, but 70 percent is a game. You need to enjoy the game because it is so hard if you are thinking too much.”
