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Report: Reds land Cuban SS Alfredo Rodriguez

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Weeks after trading Aroldis Chapman to the New York Yankees, the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly poised to land another Cuban star, shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez. Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com has reported that the Reds and Rodriguez have agreed to terms.

Rodriguez is a light-hitting shortstop, as he produced only a .265/.301/.284 slash line in Cuba. But at 21, he has time to develop. Ben Badler of Baseball America also gave Rodriguez a strong defensive scouting report.

“Rodriguez, 21, has a long way to go as a hitter but was arguably the best defensive shortstop in Cuba. He’s an athletic, agile defender with smooth, fluid actions. He’s extremely light on his feet and has good body control and range, with an average arm. At around 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Rodriguez is a plus runner who ranked third in Serie Nacional in stolen bases with 12 steals in 16 attempts.”

With Zack Cozart holding down the shortstop position, Eugenio Suarez (24), and Jose Peraza (22 in April) looming, that’s a position that might be bogged down in Cincinnati with a while.

With that said, Badler’s report indicates that Rodriguez might one day be better suited for the second base position, as Rodriguez’s and “an average arm” don’t translate better to second base than shortstop.

If things pan out for Rodriguez and the Reds, his game suggests that can play next to either Suarez or Peraza at either middle infield position in Cincinnati for years to come.

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