BRONX, NY — At the beginning of this month, 22-year-old Edwin Arroyo, a top prospect for the Cincinnati Reds, got the call to the show, and his time arrived. As they say his call to the Big Leagues was due to Cincinnati’s need for infield help.
Though the 2021 Seattle Mariners’ second round draft pick, ranked 95th on MLB’s Top 100 Prospects Pipeline List, envisioned a day of the call coming. The Reds, without All Star Elly De La Cruz due to a right hamstring strain, have gotten a look at Arroyo, hitting for average with Triple-A while flashin’ the leather.
“It’s never easy what level you are at,” said Arroyo Sunday afternoon after the Reds won the series finale and took two of three games in the Bronx against the Yankees. “Getting used to this level and doing my best every single time. I’m thankful. I’m blessed to, you know, with them that they gave me the opportunity to come up here and they have the confidence that I can help them, so, thankful for that.”
Edwin Arroyo made his MLB debut with the Reds earlier this month on June 1st vs. the Royals – Image Credit: MLB
And doing his best is what manager Terry Francona and his coaching staff have observed since Arroyo arrived on the first of this month. He became the second of three Reds to make their MLB debut this season along with pitchers Jose Franco and Zach Maxwell.
“Edwin has proved he belongs here,” said Francona about his prospect. “He’s getting the opportunity and mixed in well with our guys.”
Terry Francona and the Reds have been impressed with Edwin Arroyo’s continued progress in MLB within a month of career in the show starting up – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Arroyo is one of many reasons the Reds have potential to be in the mix of postseason aspirations, a prospect that can only grow with experience. Some say Cincinnati is now in the mix of a NL Wild Card chase—2-½ games off the pace and winning two of three against the AL East division leading Yankees is an example.
Arroyo is part of that plan for the Reds to be viable, plenty of season remains and until otherwise informed, he intends to help them remain in contention. It’s no secret, Francona has that track record of guiding teams to the postseason, last season a young Reds squad sneaked into the NL Wild Card round after taking a season series from the Mets via the tie breaker,
Arroyo then watched from the sidelines. He continued to progress and worked on that vision of being in the big leagues, a goal since the age of 11 playing baseball in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The level of play has caught the attention of teammates including Eugenio Suárez, the All-Star designated hitter and infielder.
“Reminds me of Roberto Alomar,” Suárez said. “Great kid who wants to get better and helping us now.”
Eugenio Suárez had high praise for Edwin Arroyo, comparing his skillset and talent to a young Roberto Alomar – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Can’t get a better compliment when compared to Alomar who had speed, an elite glove, and that great eye at the plate. Arroyo, though, has lived up to his billing, earning more and more playing time. He got the start at second and shortstop in two games this weekend versus the Yankees.
He recorded a career-high four hits Saturday while his last name was penciled ninth in the lineup. The big day at the plate marked his first multi-hit game, becoming the fifth Reds player in the last 40 years to collect at least four hits in their first multi-hit game. Also Arroyo became the first Reds switch hitter since 1900 with a four-hit game at 22 years old or younger—joining De La Cruz (six games) and Pete Rose (one game).
There is his proud Puerto Rico heritage, one of 17 active MLB players from the Island and one of 20 to appear in a MLB game this season. He was groomed to play the game there and has that pride of being the latest from their fraternity around the clubhouse after a series win.
“It’s awesome,” he said about representing Puerto Rico. “Like you said, there’s so few so that makes me even more proud. So thankful for that and, you know, try to keep going so I can stay here.” Arroyo was not bragging about his four-hit Saturday afternoon or wondering how long this thrill ride will last.
One third (4) of Edwin Arroyo’s career hits in MLB (12) were recorded this past Saturday as the Puerto Rico native compiled four hits in the Bronx against the Yankees – Image Credit: MLB
“Feel better every time,” he said. ”So, I mean, that’s a plus. It’s not backwards and so long as it keeps going like that, it’ll be good. Definitely Puerto Rico helped me a lot, but winter ball, all that got me prepared for this.”
Prior to Sunday (0-3 with a walk), Arroyo had hit safely in eight of his last 11 games. Not considered a setback but more of the learning process of hitting Major League pitching consistently.
And whether it be coincidence or as situated, Arroyo at the plate saw a familiar face on the mound in the series finale. He and Yankees rookie starter Elmer Rodríguez (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) were on the same fields in Puerto Rico as youngsters togetherr. Just another reminder that reunions of sports do occur in the big leagues.
“We used to play together when we were younger and facing him here in the bigs, this is awesome,” said Arroyo. “Since we were like 11 years old we played ball against each other. We played a lot together and this is actually the first time we played against each other.”
Elmer Rodríguez and Edwin Arroyo played on the same fields of Puerto Rico together as youngsters and now are top prospects for the Yankees and Reds respectively – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
And Rodríguez, who was later optioned back to Triple-A Scranton, won the matchup. In his first two at-bats, Rodríguez threw a mix of sinkers and changeups to Arroyo with both resulting in outs. They could meet again, and that friendly rivalry can only get better.
“I almost got him,” he said with a smile. “We got a good team, I think good things are gonna keep happening as long as we keep going and doing our best. The vibes here are good. You know, we got each other’s back and that’s what a team is.”
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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