San Francisco Giants: Tyler Rogers on walkout song, bullpen usage, more

SAN FRANCISCO — In the universe of Major League Baseball pitchers, San Francisco Giants reliever Tyler Rogers is an enigma, a submarine-style right-hander who parlays his skills and unique arm angle into a very effective weapon.

The 31-year-old Rogers has been a weapon who has been utilized more than any other reliever by San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler this season. Heading into Wednesday’s matinee at home against the Colorado Rockies, Rogers has made an appearance in 14 of San Francisco’s 30 games this season, sporting a 2.13 ERA/2.37 FIP/1.026 WHIP.

The unique style of pitching displayed by Tyler Rogers has made an impact for the San Francisco Giants

Rogers is coming off a campaign where he posted career-high numbers in appearances (80), innings pitched (81.0), saves (13), and strikeouts (55). It’s fair to say that the only thing down about Rogers right now is the level he reaches when he delivers a pitch, with the ball hovering just off the ground as he goes through his delivery.

During his freshman year at Garden City Community College in Kansas, Rogers was first introduced to the art of the sidearm delivery. In 2014, while pitching in the California League, Rogers discovered just how low he could go.

“I saw a picture of myself releasing the ball, and I had no idea I was going that low,” Rogers recalled. “I asked some of my teammates and they were like, ‘Yeah, you just kept getting lower.’ I honestly don’t know how I got that low, but it’s very natural to me now.”

It’s natural enough that it’s very reminiscent of one of MLB’s most famous submariners, Dan Quisenberry, according to Colorado manager Bud Black, who was teammates with Quisenberry in Kansas City, including as a part of the 1985 World Series winners.

“They’re very similar,” Black said comparing the deliveries of Rogers and Quisenberry. “(Rogers) is probably a little bit lower. He’s probably as low as I have seen since Ted Abernathy (pitcher from 1955-1972). He’s a true submariner.

“Quiz was heavy sinker all of the time and Rogers has a breaking ball that is a weapon.”

Rogers has employed his slider 53.7 percent of the time in 2022, with opponents hitting just .174 against it. According to Baseball Savant, the average release point for Rogers is 1.2 feet from the ground. Compare that to Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has an average release point of 6.2 feet.

San Francisco’s bullpen has thrown 124.0 innings this season (before Tuesday night), which placed them in the top five of all MLB teams in terms of usage. Rogers says bring on the work, agreeing that it’s a badge of honor to not only be used that much, but to also be effective when used.

“It is for me personally, and I think it is for all of the guys,” Rogers said, pointing around to his bullpen colleagues with lockers near his inside the Giants clubhouse. “We have that mentality that we can kind of put the team on our back.”

While it may be a different season, one thing that has not changed for Rogers is his walkout song when he enters the game. Once again this year, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant comes over the Oracle Park sound system when he begins to take the mound for the Giants.

“I picked it in like my second or third year of Triple-A and have just stuck with it,” Rogers said of the song.

Why that song?

“I guess it’s pretty self-explanatory,” Rogers smiled.

Looking at the lyrics of the chorus, maybe it is…

Oh, there ain’t no rest for the wickedMoney don’t grow on treesI got bills to payI got mouths to feedThere ain’t nothing in this world for freeI know I can’t slow downI can’t hold backThough you knowI wish I couldOh, no there ain’t no rest for the wickedUntil we close our eyes for good

Drafted in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB draft and finally making his MLB debut on August 27, 2019, nothing has come free for Rogers as he has worked his way through the minors and kept proving that his unorthodox style wasn’t just different, but it was effective as well.