Reds’ Edwin Arroyo, Hector Rodriguez and Carlos Jorge: 2027 Roster Outlook

The Cincinnati Reds' season is over, and now it’s time to think about what next season could look like. First, let’s look at some of the players who made their MLB debuts with the Reds in 2026 and could make the 2027 opening day roster. 

Yes, I’m aware there very well may not be baseball next year, but for this exercise, let’s assume there will be.

Edwin Arroyo

Arroyo was tearing up the minor leagues, hitting well over .300 for both contact and power before joining the big league club. He was called up after Elly De La Cruz suffered a hamstring injury in late May and missed three weeks in June. Arroyo hit .265 in June in 68 at-bats with just three extra-base hits. 

Arroyo did not hit a single home run during his time with the club, hitting .223 in 148 at-bats before being sent back down to Triple-A after July. He also struggled in the field, committing more than his fair share of errors.

If McLain hadn’t struggled so much this past season, I’d say there’s a low chance Arroyo makes the opening day roster. However, he could be a logical choice at second base unless Matt McLain is given more rope, which I just don’t see happening, to be completely honest. 

Ultimately, I don’t think Arroyo will make the opening day roster, and Cincinnati will look outside the organization.

Hector Rodriguez

Rodriguez didn’t have a Sal Stewart-esque season as a late-season addition, but he showed flashes. He hit .229 with a .679 OPS and six home runs from the left side of the plate, and helped spark a big comeback against the San Francisco Giants on August 26. 

He hit .252 with a .782 OPS against right-handed pitching. 

I think his lefty power bat will give the Reds' front office some incentive to give him a longer leash in 2027 if there is baseball. My prediction would be Rodriguez as the Reds' everyday right fielder at the start of the season unless they make a big free-agent addition. 

Carlos Jorge

One of the biggest reasons Cincinnati called up Jorge was his energy, according to Terry Francona. He showed that he uses his speed consistently. However, in 18 games he hit just .217 with a .606 OPS and one home run with two runs batted in across 46 at-bats. 

Jorge ended the season on a five-game hit streak, with two multi-hit games mixed in. At the end of the day, he projects as a center fielder, and there’s no reason Dane Myers shouldn’t be the everyday center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds in 2027, so I’d expect Jorge to not be on the opening day roster in 2027.