Joc, Rodón to rep Giants at All-Star Game

SAN DIEGO -- Joc Pederson is poised to return to Dodger Stadium as an All-Star later this month, though he’ll be representing his hometown Giants in the starting outfield for the National League.

Pederson was voted into the NL starting lineup for the 2022 All-Star Game on July 19, becoming the first Giants outfielder to win a fan election since Melky Cabrera in 2012. It’s Pederson’s second career All-Star nod and his first since 2015, when he earned a selection during his rookie campaign with the Dodgers.

At the time full rosters were revealed on Sunday, Pederson was to be the Giants’ sole representative at this year’s Midsummer Classic, but left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón was added to the roster on Tuesday.

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“It means a lot,” Pederson said Friday. “It’s a really cool accomplishment. I’m looking forward to representing the Giants.”

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Signed to a one-year, $6 million deal over the offseason, Pederson has emerged as the Giants’ most dangerous hitter this year, batting .259 with an .872 OPS, 17 home runs and 41 RBIs over 74 games.

“I’m excited for Joc,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “He’s deserving of the honor. He deserves the start. I think it’s going to be especially kind of intense at Dodger Stadium. Cool way for him to go back and probably be appreciated by their fans and by the fans of baseball, and for good reason.

“He’s had a great year. He’s been very dependable for us. You can tell that other teams are game-planning around Joc right now. Maybe it’s the guy in the lineup right now that they’re not really wanting to face.”

Pederson will be joined by the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. in the starting outfield for the NL, giving him a chance to return to the home dugout at Dodger Stadium, where he spent the first seven years of his career and won a World Series title in 2020.

Pederson, who captured his second consecutive championship with the Braves last season, was booed when he traveled to Chavez Ravine as a member of the Giants earlier this year, though he said he thinks he’ll receive a warmer reception from fans at the All-Star Game.

“I think it will be different,” Pederson said. “We’ll see. Either way, I’m excited and looking forward to it.

“To be on the field with so many superstars and watching them go about their business will be really fun. Hopefully, I’ll learn a lot. Last time I was an All-Star, everything was moving so fast. 2015, rookie year. It’ll be cool to really soak in all of the moments that I missed. Especially being in L.A., super familiar with obviously everything there. I’m really looking forward to the whole experience.”

Rodón (2.70 ERA) and right-hander Logan Webb (2.98 ERA) were not among the pitchers initially named to the NL staff when full rosters were announced Sunday, but Rodón was added to the roster as a replacement on the Tuesday following the announcement of reserves.