The 25-year-old has been on the fringe of the Otago side ''for the last three or four years'' plugging away for the Otago 2nd XI.
He got his opportunity to play first-class cricket last month and made a big impact in just his second match.
The right-hander posted his maiden century and batted for six hours to help rescue his side from a precarious position in its Plunket Shield match against Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval.
He also showed a willingness to put team goals ahead of individual milestones when he whacked a boundary to help Otago claim a fourth batting bonus point from the last ball in which the Volts could register first-innings points.
The right-hander was on 99 at the time and could have be forgiven for playing it safe.
Instead, he made room by stepping to leg and worked the delivery through midwicket.
Statistics can never do justice to those selfless moments.
They do not slot neatly into a column or greatly improve your average.
But your team-mates never forget.
''Just to get picked for the Volts was massive for me but to contribute with a hundred was pretty special,'' Rodden said.
''Obviously, being on 99 I was pretty nervous, but the bonus point put an edge on it.
''I missed out a couple of balls before that and had sort of got a bit eager. I managed to calm myself down because I was a little bit caught up in it. I got a ball which was straighter and I could work it through the on-side which was lucky I suppose.''
It was a moment to cherish but also a bittersweet experience.
His father, former Otago Sparks coach Geoff Rodden, died suddenly last year and was on Brad's mind when he celebrated his wonderful achievement.
''I gave an acknowledgement up to him. It was tough but that is just the way it is, I suppose. It was a special moment definitely, and one that I'll never forget.''
Rodden has a degree in physical education which took longer than it might have otherwise because he spent two seasons playing cricket in Perth and had a summer in Aberdeen.
He is doing some work with a friend at an aluminium joinery company and is focused on going as far as he can with his cricket.
That means something has to give for the talented sportsman and that something is football.
''I love that game as well and love playing for Dunedin Tech because they're a great bunch. I'll still certainly support the club but I don't know if I'll play. It will have to take a back seat for now.''
Otago's next match is against Central Districts in Nelson on Friday.
Rodden is by no means a certainty to be named in the team.\
With Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham set to return and Nathan McCullum also a possibility, coach Vaughn Johnson will have a tough decision to make.
''I'm not sure what is going to happen but I've done all I can and we'll see how we go from there.''
Otago is in second place in the Plunket Shield with 62 points.
Canterbury leads with 69 points.
But with three rounds remaining, and a maximum of 60 points on offer, any of the six sides could still come through and win the title.
Otago has not won the first-class tournament since 1987-88 but came very close last season.
