No. 3 prospect Arroyo looks to provide infield spark for Reds after his callup

CINCINNATI – It was a whirlwind three hours Monday that carried infield prospect Edwin Arroyo (No. 98 overall, Reds' No. 3) from being groggy at his apartment in Louisville to the thrill of entering a big league clubhouse at Great American Ball Park with a No. 2 jersey hanging in his new locker.

"Really excited, that was the goal for sure," Arroyo said. "But now the goal is to try to stay and help the team and just control what I can."

Ahead of Triple-A Louisville's scheduled road trip to Memphis, Arroyo was just waking up Monday morning when that team's manager, Pat Kelly, called. It was to tell him he was going to the big leagues after All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz went on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

As the phone rang with Kelly on the other end, Arroyo let it go to voicemail without looking. Then the phone rang a second time.

“[Kelly] was like, ‘Whoa, if you want to go to the big leagues, you better answer your phone.’ I’m here now," Arroyo said.

Arroyo, 22, batted .323 with a .945 OPS, 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 53 games for Louisville this season. One of the first players who welcomed him to the Reds clubhouse was De La Cruz.

“I just talked to him and congratulated him and said you should have been here a long time ago," De La Cruz said via translator Tomas Vera. "I also told him anything he needs or anything he wants to do, I’m here for him.”

Although a natural shortstop, Arroyo increased his versatility by also playing second base and began getting some games last month at third base.

“I think it was a great opportunity. I feel good playing anywhere," said Arroyo, who is from Arecibo, Puerto Rico. "I played some third for the first time in my career. Excited; that was a good opportunity. I think I did well, so if they need me there, I’m more than happy to help them.”

Reds manager Terry Francona shifted usual second baseman Matt McLain to shortstop while Arroyo debuted at second base vs. the Royals and batted eighth on Monday.

“That’s probably his most comfortable position right now," Francona said. "My guess is you’ll see him at short and second, maybe even third, depending on what’s going on. He’s done a really good job at Triple-A. He’s played with a lot of energy. He’s young. I told him, ‘Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. Just be who you are and try to play the game right.’ That’s the best I think you can always tell young guys.”

On July 30, 2022, Arroyo was a coveted part of the trade to the Reds that also brought Noelvi Marte and two other Minor League players from the Mariners for rotation ace Luis Castillo. During big league camp at Spring Training 2024, Arroyo's development was sidetracked when he tore the labrum in his left shoulder diving back to first base on a pickoff play. It cost him the whole season.

In 2025, Arroyo returned and batted .284 with a .716 OPS and three homers in 120 games at Double-A Chattanooga. This season, the switch-hitter's offensive production leveled up even more, while continuing his reputation for strong defense.

“Realistically, he’s got it all. He’s got everything," De La Cruz said. "You can see he’s electric. Actually, he reminds me of myself. I think we have a similar way of playing.”

One area to watch is that Arroyo had a 38.2 chase rate this season, which big league pitchers could exploit to his detriment.

“I worked all offseason on my swing, my approach," Arroyo said. "At this point, I think if I get my mind right, I’m good. I’m excited that it started as a good season.”

Now it has a chance to get even better for Arroyo at the highest level.