The Reds selected signed Rodríguez as an amateur free agent in 2007. He played 42 games for rookie class GCL Reds in 2009, hitting .322 with 1 HR, 19 RBI and 9 steals. He played in 130 games for the Dayton Dragons and Lynchburg Hillcats in 2010, hitting .305 with 14 homers and 82 RBI, while being named a Midwest League All-Star for Dayton. In 2011, he had 566 at-bats for the single-A Bakersfield and double-A Carolina, hitting .320 with 13 homers, 81 RBI. He was added to the Reds 40-man roster on November 18, 2011.
