Héctor

Rodríguez

Rodríguez now has 25 home runs on the season to go along with a .272 average, 63 RBI, and an .876 OPS. He’s an aggressive hitter, but he’s swinging outside of the zone less than he did last year and has reduced his swinging strike rate to a league-average mark. He also continues to make league-average contact while driving the ball over the fence. We should note that his 42 percent hard-hit rate and 89.2 mph average exit velocity don’t suggest tons of power, but he makes the most of his contact with his approach, and playing his home games in Great American Ballpark will help. We’d imagine he’s up after the August 14th cutoff to retain his rookie eligibility for 2027.

Rodríguez now has 24 home runs and 61 RBI to go along with a .280 batting average and .902 OPS. The Reds are one of the few teams that should clearly be sellers at the deadline, so there is a chance they free up some outfield at-bats for Rodríguez to get called up in just a couple of weeks. He’s just behind guys like Joshua Baez and Walker Jenkins in terms of fantasy stashes.

The 22-year-old is now hitting .290/.369/.549 with 21 home runs, 56 RBI, and six steals in 84 games at Triple-A. He also has a solid 75/40 K/BB ratio. He’s played both corner outfield spots regularly this season, but it seems unlikely that he gets a chance in Cincinnati this year unless the team decides to move on from slumping JJ Bleday.

Rodríguez is the notable name here for fantasy managers, especially in dynasty formats after slashing .283/.336/.450 with 19 homers and 15 steals across 135 games between two levels to finish last year at Triple-A. The 21-year-old will require some additional seasoning on the doorstep of the majors but he’s a power/speed combo talent worth watching throughout the season. Arroyo is one of Cincinnati’s top prospects entering the year after batting .284/.345/.371 with three homers and 12 steals in 120 games last season for Double-A Chattanooga.

The 21-year-old Rodríguez, who was added to the Reds’ 40-man roster last month, is hitting .275/.370/.377 with just 10 strikeouts in 81 plate appearances in the Dominican Republic. He’s probably not going to be much of a threat to break camp with the Reds next spring, but he could definitely make his major league debut at some point during the season.

The trio will be protected from selection in next month’s Rule 5 Draft. Arroyo is the most prominent inclusion here as one of the better prospect in Cincinnati’s system. The 22-year-old hit .284/.345/.371 with three homers and 12 steals in 120 games last season for Double-A Chattanooga. Rodríguez is one of the more electric talents in the organization, and his long-term fantasy stock surged after he slashed .283/.336/.450 with 19 homers and 15 steals across 135 games between two levels, finishing the year at Triple-A. Balcazar also earns a spot on the 40-man roster after a strong showing recently in the Arizona Fall League.

Rodriguez has played in the infield and outfield in short-season FCL and Low-A St. Lucie. He’s hit well with a .342 average and .910 OPS, but this is very much a lottery ticket type of talent that is years away from making a contribution.