Jeremy Reed
Chicago White Sox
Position: OF Height: 6-0 Weight: 180 Born: 6/5/81 Bats: Left Throws: Left
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
| 2002 |
Kannapolis |
A |
57 |
210 |
37 |
67 |
15 |
0 |
4 |
32 |
11 |
24 |
17 |
5 |
.319 |
.377 |
.448 |
| 2003 |
Winston-Salem |
A |
65 |
222 |
37 |
74 |
18 |
1 |
4 |
52 |
41 |
17 |
27 |
6 |
.333 |
.431 |
.477 |
| |
Birmingham |
AA |
11 |
41 |
8 |
19 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
.463 |
.500 |
.707 |
Background
Jeremy Reed was drafted in the second round in 2002, out of Long Beach State, where he hit .339 with 19 steals as a junior, winding up a successful college career. He'd led Team USA with a .366 average as a sophomore in '01. Reed continued hitting for average with the wooden bat, knocking Sally League pitching to the tune of a .319 average after signing. He has maintained his torrid pace in 2003. Promoted to Double-A two weeks ago, he is on fire at Birmingham, and must be considered one of the top overall offensive prospects in the game right now.
Scouting report
Reed is a classic left-handed hitter with a short stroke. He reads breaking balls well, but is also capable of driving a fastball. He can pull to the right-field gap, or hit to the opposite field as needed. Although he isn't a big player, he generates plus bat speed with his quick wrists, resulting in plenty of doubles. He isn't likely to become a big home run hitter, but should do just about everything else. Reed's strike-zone judgment has been very good, with a low strikeout rate, and plenty of walks this year to go with his high batting average. Although Reed's running speed is "just" above average, he is aggressive and refined on the bases, and should continue to steal at higher levels. He played first base in college, but has more than enough speed for the outfield, where he's played as a pro. His arm is average but accurate. He has split time between right field and center field this year, but I think he has enough range to play center.
Performance
Reed has been terrific as a pro, and his fast start in Double-A is certainly a good sign. Note the increase in his walks and decrease in his strikeouts between his '02 pro debut and this year. Obviously, we need to see what he does the rest of the year in Double-A before we know exactly how he projects, but there's little reason to think he will struggle. Reed's main weakness is against lefties: he hit .256 with little power against them at Winston-Salem, vs. .352 with lots of pop against right-handers. Solving southpaws will have to be on his agenda.
Health record
Reed has had no significant injury problems.
What to expect
The White Sox wanted Joe Borchard to be the Center Fielder of the Future, but he has struggled with contact against advanced pitching, and his prospect star may be setting. Reed hasn't gotten much attention yet, but he is poised to be the Center Fielder of the Future for the Sox if someone else doesn't seize the job soon. His speed and batting average ability are very intriguing, and if he maintains his strike-zone judgment, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
John Sickels is the author of the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book, which can be ordered from his Web site, JohnSickels.com. His biography of Bob Feller will be published this fall by Brassey's. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com.
