CINCINNATI — The Reds did have one Trade Deadline acquisition arrive at their clubhouse on Tuesday, but it wasn't someone from the one that just expired on Monday. It was their No. 3 prospect, Héctor Rodríguez, who was once an 18-year-old low-level prospect who came from the Mets at the 2022 Deadline.
“It was weird," Rodríguez said via translator Tomas Vera about being part of the '22 deal that sent outfielder Tyler Naquin to the Mets. "It was sad because I was leaving the organization that believed in me. I was sad because I was with my teammates and I thought I was not going to be good. I have to start over. But now it’s over and in the past.”
Four years later, Rodríguez was thrilled to be in the big leagues with the Reds after being called up from Triple-A Louisville to take the spot of Nathaniel Lowe after he was traded to the Guardians on Monday.
Rodríguez, 22, started in right field against the A's on Tuesday.
“It’s a dream," said Rodríguez, who was signed out of the Dominican Republic for $100,000 by the Mets in 2021. "It’s a dream when you’re a kid when you start playing baseball and then finally having the experience [in the Majors].”
A left-handed hitter, Rodríguez batted .274 with an .880 OPS, 27 home runs and 69 RBIs in 104 games for Louisville this season. His breakout year included a three-homer game on May 27 and hitting for the cycle on June 10.
“We kind of came up the ranks together," Reds rookie first baseman Sal Stewart said. "He’s a great player. He’s fearless. I know he’s going to be ready to go, so I’m super happy to have him.”
Rodríguez was in big league camp at Spring Training in 2025 and '26, which also helped him. He was taken under the wings of fellow Latin American players like Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suárez and Noelvi Marte.
“It was helpful because you learn a lot from the veteran players," he said. "They give you a lot of advice and they get you to the point where you take it from there and you take it with you, and it paid off.”
Rodríguez could also see time in left field and at designated hitter the rest of this season. If there's been one knock on his progress, he's been viewed as a below-average outfielder defensively. His pro career with the Mets started at second and third base, but he has played solely in the outfield for the Reds’ organization.
Louisville manager Pat Kelly told Reds manager Terry Francona that Rodríguez has worked hard at improving in the field.
“PK said he’s been a really good worker, said he’s improved dramatically," Francona said. "You take that and when they come here, the game is going to be faster — which we know. I just told him, ‘Hey, try to do the right thing, play the game right and if you have a question, just ask us.’”
“I’ll be doing early work like I’ve been doing at Triple-A," Rodríguez said. "I’ve been doing the same stuff. The reason why it doesn’t pair up with my offense is lack of confidence. They made me an outfielder, and then I started to build up that confidence. Now I feel good. I feel like that confidence is up.”
As for hitting, Rodríguez has never had confidence issues.
“My confidence level is up because I don’t think too much," he said. "I just react to what can happen at that moment.”