Former NY Mets prospect traded in 2022 is red hot and not cooling off

Do you know what New York Mets fans don’t think about enough? The “other” move from the 2022 MLB trade deadline. So stuck on Daniel Vogelbach for Colin Holderman (more so, the never-ending story of Vogelbach on the roster), the underwhelming performance of Mychal Givens, and most of all how in every way possible the Darin Ruf deal was a failure, we haven’t really paid much attention to what the team gave up for Tyler Naquin.

If you’re sensitive to flashy statistics, the loud crack of the bat, or general Mets misery, you might want to look away. As if we didn’t hold the 2022 trade deadline in the lowest regard already, one of the two prospects exchanged for Naquin (and Phillip Diehl) is quickly rising up the Cincinnati Reds farm system rankings. MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the number 11 Cincinnati Reds prospect in the game right now.

The 2022 Mets-Reds trade deadline swap is suddenly looking a lot worse for Billy Eppler

Two players were sent to Cincinnati in this deal. Pitcher Jose Acuna was one. Outfielder Hector Rodriguez was the other. Acuna has had some success pitching in the minors and may very well turn into something of value. This story is about Rodriguez, though. It's also partly about Naquin who hit .203 with a .636 OPS with a strikeout rate of just over 30%.

The 21-year-old is slashing .356/.417/.517 through his first 96 plate appearances. He isn’t just poking singles. He had 3 doubles, a triple, and 3 home runs plus 12 RBI. From afar, there doesn’t seem to be any distinguishable hole in his game. He can steal bases albeit not at a clip of greatness. Defensively, he has shifted away from being a utility player or even playing much center field at all. The Chattanooga Lookouts have used him exclusively in the corner outfield this season.

There’s certainly a major difference between success in Double-A versus the major leagues. Rodriguez has a long way to go before this officially becomes a tragic trade instead of just a wasted one. For what Naquin gave the Mets, it already leaves a bitter taste seeing his name.

Circling back to Acuna, he has gone 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 5 starts this year. A high walk rate of 5.3 per 9 but more than 11 strikeouts per 9 and a rather nasty .154 batting average against him this year shows us that maybe this could be an uppercut and a jab if we wait long enough.

A lot of new files have been created on Mets trades from the past. Jarred Kelenic getting sent to the minors gave us a laugh. The revelation of what the Mets could’ve traded instead of Pete Crow-Armstrong gave us a neck ache. Right now, this one is a blister on the foot we hope doesn’t get worse.