A former multi-sport star from the Rhode Island high school ranks, Reed showed off his raw tools and athleticism in spurts during three years at the University of Florida. The Padres liked his very high ceiling enough to take him in the second round of the 2016 Draft. Following a rough first full season, Reed broke out in 2018, played in the Futures Game and advanced to Double-A. His struggles there carried over to his 2019 season back in the Texas League and he wasn’t protected from, nor was he selected in, the Rule 5 Draft. He was then sent to the A’s as the player to be named later for Jurickson Profar.
The A’s are hoping a change of scenery, some new instructors and new ideas might be just what is needed to unlock Reed’s treasure trove of raw tools more consistently. The switch-hitter can make loud contact and drive the ball from both sides of the plate, though his right-handed swing is a bit better. He had changed his swing path to be shorter to the ball with more extension, leading to his breakout to start 2018, but his strikeout rate soared once he got to Double-A.
Reed’s speed is close to top of the scale and he’s a major basestealing threat, swiping 51 bags in 2018. It also helps him cover a ton of ground in the outfield, where he’s a plus defender in center and has an arm that works really well in the corners. He still has 20-20 potential if he can refine his approach enough to make more contact with his new organization.
Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 65 | Overall: 45
One of the best all-around athletes in the 2016 Draft class, the Padres selected Reed with the 48th overall pick and signed him for slightly over $1 million. After struggling in his first full season, Reed went to the Australian Baseball League and rediscovered his swing. It led to a breakout 2018. Reed reached base consistently, and he wreaked havoc on the bases, swiping 51 bags between Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio. Reed earned his Double-A promotion after playing in the All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park, but his transition to the level didn't go smoothly and he continued to struggle with the bat in a return to the level in 2019. Left off the 40-man roster, he was sent to the A's as the player to be named later in the Jurickson Profar deal after the Rule 5 Draft in December.
A switch-hitter, Reed has the potential to hit for both average and power, though he's historically been better form the right side. Before the 2018 season, he made an adjustment, allowing him to be shorter to the ball with more extension after contact. But he'll need to continue to cut down on the strikeouts. If he can add more contact to his game, he has plus-plus speed -- which translates on both sides of the ball.
Reed has a tall, athletic build that gives him the potential to do a lot of things well on the baseball field, but he still has gains to make as a hitter. If he can get back to a more refined approach and better swing mechanics, he has the tools to be an impact player. But questions linger as to whether his game, particularly his hitting, will translate at higher levels.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50
One of the best all-around athletes in the 2016 Draft class, Reed was viewed as a potential early-first-round pick heading into the spring before an inconsistent junior campaign for the Gators caused his stock fall late. Pleased to find him still on the board in the second round, the Padres selected him with the 48th overall pick and signed him for slightly over $1 million. After struggling in his first full season, Reed went to the Australian Baseball League and rediscovered his swing. It led to a breakout 2018 campaign in which he earned his first Double-A promotion in July after playing in the prestigious SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park.
A switch-hitter, Reed is once again showing the ability to hit for both average and power after making an adjustment to his setup and swing path that has made him shorter to the ball with more extension after contact. He has plus-plus speed that translates on both sides of the ball, making him a threat to steal on the basepaths as well as an above-average defender capable of sticking in center field.
Reed has a tall, athletic build that gives him the potential to do a lot of things well on the baseball field, but he still has his share of gains to make as a hitter. A refined approach and better swing mechanics certainly have him back on track, though time will tell how his game, particularly his hitting, translates at higher levels.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50
One of the best all-around athletes in the 2016 Draft class, Reed was viewed as a potential early-first-round pick heading into the spring before an inconsistent junior campaign for the Gators caused his stock fall late. Pleased to find him still on the board in the second round, the Padres selected him with the 48th overall pick and signed him for slightly over $1 million.
A switch-hitter, Reed makes good contact from both sides of the plate, but his setup and approach are inconsistent and keep him from consistently driving the baseball and hitting for power. He has present strength and good pop to the gaps, though his lack of extension from both sides limits his chances of offering anything more than below-average over-the-fence power. Reed has plus speed that translates on both sides of the ball, making him a threat to steal on the basepaths as well as an above-average defender capable of sticking in center field.
Reed has a tall, athletic build that gives him the potential to do a lot of things well on the baseball field, although his overall hitting ability leaves much to be desired. A refined approach and better swing mechanics could help him reach his offensive ceiling, though for a recent college Draft pick, he may require additional time to develop.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50
One of the best all-around athletes in the 2016 Draft class, Reed has the chance to be a dynamic performer on both sides of the ball. Though he was viewed as a potential early-first-round pick heading into the spring, an inconsistent junior campaign for the Gators caused his stock fall late. But Padres were happy to find him still on the board in the second round, as they selected him with the 48th overall pick and then signed him for slightly over $1 million.
The switch-hitter has a tall, athletic build with the potential to do a lot of things well on the baseball field. A multisport standout in the Rhode Island high school ranks, Reed has plus speed that works on both sides of the ball. He should be a basestealing threat and can definitely stay in center field long-term. It's Reed's bat that needs the most work. He can make contact from both sides of the plate, but his setup and approach are inconsistent. Reed has strength, and he should grow into more, though his lack of extension from the left side could keep him from showing any power that way.
A tendency to be tentative at the plate has plagued Reed, and while he had some good stretches, he didn't drive the ball consistently this spring. Refining of Reed's approach should help him reach his offensive ceiling, though he may require additional time to develop.
