The Triple-A season continues on until nearly the end of the MLB season. It lasts longer than the other minor league seasons do and as such their postseason awards are announced later than the rest of the levels. The International League and Minor League Baseball have announced their 2026 All-Star team this week and outfielder Hector Rodriguez got the nod as one of the outfielders. He was the only Cincinnati Reds player or Louisville Bats player to make the team.
Since Major League Baseball took over Minor League Baseball after 2020 they have eliminated the in-season All-Star games at the minor league levels with the exception being in the Dominican Summer League. Now the leagues just announce an All-Star team after the year is over.
For Hector Rodriguez, the 2026 season is one that saw his dreams come true. His big season in Triple-A for the Louisville Bats led to his call up in early August where he joined the Cincinnati Reds and spent the final two months of the season with them.
During his time in Louisville he was the best hitter for the Bats. He would play in 104 games for Louisville in 2026 and racked up 455 plate appearances. During his time he had 11 hits, with 16 doubles, four triples, and 27 home runs. He also scored 72 runs and had 69 RBI. Rodriguez would also steal six bases in eight attempts.
After being called up by Cincinnati Rodriguez had some ups-and-downs in his 41 games played. During that time he lost his “prospect” status and will not be eligible for the 2027 Rookie of the Year award. With the Reds he would hit .229/.270/.410 and hit four doubles, two triples, and six home runs. Rodriguez would score another 16 runs and drive in 17 with the big league club. Overall he hit 33 home runs on the season, which was tops in the organization for all levels combined.
You can see the career stats for Hector Rodriguez here.
That’s good. He could be a “keeper”.