This former Mets prospect could be the best outfielder in the Reds farm system

The Cincinnati Reds farm system is loaded with infield prospects. According to MLB Pipeline, six of the team's top seven prospects are infielders, with the lone exception being left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott.

That's great news for the Reds on the infield dirt, but leaves a lot to the imagination when thinking about the future of the Cincinnati outfield.

One of the most intriguing outfield prospects in the Reds farm system was part of the New York Mets organization less than a year ago. While the return for Tyler Naquin after being dealt to the Mets wasn't as closely monitored as the exchanges for Tyler Mahle and Luis Castillo, one of the Reds best prospects may have been included in that deal.

Former Mets prospect Hector Rodriguez could be the best OF in the Reds farm system.

The New York Mets shipped two lower-level prospects to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Tyler Naquin at last year's trade deadline. Right-handed pitcher Jose Acuña and outfielder Hector Rodriguez joined the Reds organization last July.

Strange as this may sound, there isn't an outfielder in the Reds farm system that is off to a better start this season than Rodriguez. The teenager has an OPS over .900 and a batting average over .300. Rodriguez's plus-speed has allowed him to slap infield singles, take extra bases, and even steal a few bags.

Rodriguez has an innate ability to barrel baseballs, and, at 19 years old, his power is still improving. Listed at 5-foot-8, 186-pounds, Rodriguez has the projectability to add a bit of size and strength which could improve the pop in that bat as well.

Rodriguez's advancement to the Cincinnati Reds High-A affiliate, whenever that comes, will tell a lot about his trajectory through the team's farm system. Rodriguez is much younger than most of the competition he's facing at Low-A Daytona, and that gap is likely to increase as he moves up the pipeline.

Hector Rodriguez may be one of the most highly-talented outfielders in the entire Cincinnati Reds farm system. Trading Tyler Naquin has the potential to be huge net-gain for the Reds organization if just one of Rodriguez or Acuña pan out. The right-hander isn't doing bad in his own right.