The Boston Red Sox made a surprisingly small trade on Monday, sending right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league outfielder Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick, and a PTBNL or cash considerations.
The trade didn’t seem like a needle mover for the Red Sox, as Rodriguez is only 19 years old with an estimated MLB debut in 2027, according to MLBPipeline. However, the young outfielder is already giving something to look forward to after making his debut in High-A Greenville.
The 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic was in the leadoff spot for the Greenville Drive and played well. Rodriguez went 2-for-5 at the plate against the Asheville Tourists as he also handled centerfield duties.
The 6-foot-1 outfielder’s two hits were a double and a triple. He also had two strikeouts, but if you are the Red Sox’s management, you are excited to see Rodriguez hit the ground running.
According to MLB Pipeline, the left-handed hitter is now the Red Sox’s 11th-best prospect in their Top-30, which is not a surprise given how top-heavy Boston’s minor league system is.
Before he joined the Drive (Red Sox’s High-A affiliate), Rodriguez hit .417 with a double, a triple, and three runs scored in three games this season in High-A Wisconsin.
Last season with Single-A Carolina, Rodriguez slashed .250/.343/.383 with 23 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, and 60 RBI.
The young outfielder clearly has a ton of untapped potential and could be a player down the road for the Red Sox. MLB Pipeline’s scouting grades on Rodriguez are solid for a player who was just signed in 2023 out of the Dominican Republic and immediately played with the DSL Brewers 1 in the DSL for rookie ball.
Rodriguez has a 55 grade for running and four 50 grades on hitting, power, arm, and fielding. We will see if the young outfielder can take another step in his career under the direction of Boston’s development.