Reds to call up No. 3 prospect Rodríguez from Triple-A

CINCINNATI -- Although not a Trade Deadline move, the Reds are bringing up one of their own top prospects after making a deal on Monday.

Cincinnati will call up its No. 3 prospect, outfielder Héctor Rodríguez, from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday and he will be in the lineup vs. the A's as their right fielder.

A left-handed hitter and hard slugging 22-year-old, Rodríguez is batting .274 with an .880 OPS, 27 home runs and 69 RBIs in 104 games this season.

“He spent almost a full season at Triple-A from last year, this year," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "He’s continued to take good at-bats. He’s really done a great job of becoming more professional in his at-bats. He is still working to play the outfield but we felt it was time to give him a shot.”

Rodríguez will fill the roster vacancy created by the trade of lefty slugger Nathaniel Lowe to the Guardians for two Minor League players.

Signed originally by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic for $100,000 in 2021, Rodríguez arrived to the Reds organization as part of a Trade Deadline deal for outfielder Tyler Naquin in 2022.

Rated highly for his power and bat speed, Rodríguez has received below average grades for his defense. He likely profiles best as a future designated hitter but he could add some pop to the club's lineup over the final two months of this season.

With Rodríguez going into right field, struggling right fielder Noelvi Marte is headed to the bench.