Yorman Rodriguez has reached the end of the road with the Cincinnati Reds. He either makes the 25-man roster out of spring training or he’s most likely gone for good.
The 23-year-old Venezuelan outfielder is out of options with the Reds. Another team will probably claim Rodriquez on waivers if the Reds don’t keep him on the roster.
Rodriguez signed with the Reds in 2008. He was 16 years old and received a $2.5-million bonus. So far, the signing has been a bust.
Rodriguez has just 27 big league at-bats. All of those were in 2014. His minor league career hasn’t inspired enough confidence in him for the Reds to give him more.
In seven minor league seasons, Rodriguez has a slash of .261/.314/.399. He has not hit more than 13 home runs. Last year he hit 10 homers and batted .269 in 308 at-bats at Triple-A. He stole just four bases and struck out 80 times.
Rodriguez hasn’t improved his case to make the big club this spring. He’s hitting just .200 in 25 at-bats without a single extra-base hit. He does have a. 333 on-base-percentage boosted by five walks.
Rodriguez would be nothing more than a bottom-of-the-order hitter in the majors. He has a strong arm but has shown he’s an average fielder in the minors. He’s played 291 minor league games in center field and 290 in right.
Rodriguez faces roster competition from outfielders Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler, Tyler Holt and Jake Cave.
Duvall and Schebler are likely the left field platoon for the Reds in 2016. After next year, prospect Jesse Winker will likely be the Reds starting left fielder for several years.
Cave is a promising Rule 5 pick with potential to be a starting center fielder and a top-of-the-order table-setter. As a Rule 5 pick, Cave can’t be optioned. He has to remain on the Reds’ 25-man roster all year or be lost.
Holt is the most expendable of the group. He has had an impressive spring, though.
Unless Rodriguez can catch fire for the rest of spring, he might find himself the most expendable player in the Reds’ outfield mix.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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