Reds added outfield help but one prospect could steal the spotlight anyway

While it might not be the splash fans were hoping for, the Cincinnati Reds have added some reinforcements to the outfield in hopes of upping the offensive firepower at their disposal in 2026.

In signing JJ Bleday, the Reds are hoping that the former first-round pick can revert back to the promise he showed in 2024 when he posted a 120 wRC+. They'll be counting on him to handle the strongside of the left field platoon. In addition, the trade that brought Dane Myers to town will give the club a right-handed complement. Myers owns an .816 OPS against southpaws for his career.

It might not be flashy, but it has all the potential to work as both players will be put in positions that maximize their strengths. Still, the whole plan might get upended in a good way, as top prospect Hector Rodriguez could force his way through the door in 2026.

JJ Bleday and Dane Myers could have their jobs in the Reds outfield stolen by top prospect Hector Rodriguez

Rodriguez, the Reds' No. 9 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, nearly forced the issue last season, The left-handed swinging 21-year-old tore up Double-A Chattanooga to the tune of a .298/.357/.481 slash line with 12 homers before getting the call to Triple-A Louisville.

Over his final 52 games at Louisville, he cooled a little, but still held his own with a .260/.304/.405 performance and seven more dingers. As Rodriguez has risen through the ranks, he's maintained solid contact numbers despite an aggressive approach and has turned into a pull-side power threat.

Rodriguez has picked up where he left off toiling in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) this offseason. Suiting up for the Leones del Escogido, Rodriguez has gone on a tear and is hitting .301/.375/.504 with four homers in 128 plate appearances.

The performance stands out. If Rodriguez had enough at-bats to qualify, his .879 OPS in LIDOM would be good for third in a league that includes several current and former MLB players, including former Reds disappointment Jeimer Candelario.

Rodriguez will likely need to show his stuff in Louisville for a time in 2026 before getting the call to the bigs, but if he continues to hit, it will be hard to hold him down for long. Should that happen, he'll threaten Bleday and Myers, with Bleday having the biggest target on his back.

Should Rodriguez get the call, regular playing time would be a must until it becomes evident that he needs more seasoning, if it ever does. Still, protecting him against same-handed pitchers would make some sense, meaning Myers' place on the roster would probably be secure, despite having a lower ceiling overall than Bleday.

It's starting to feel like Rodriguez taking a prime role in 2026 is inevitable, and perhaps that explains why the Reds have been so reluctant to make a play for any big-time names besides Kyle Schwarber. The youngster will surely be one to watch in Spring Training, and if all goes well, he'll be in Cincinnati sooner rather than later.