Victor Reyes

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #25 prospect in 2018
  The Tigers picked Reyes with the top pick in the 2017 Rule 5 draft. It wasn't the first time he had been moved. The D-backs acquired Reyes from the Braves prior to the 2015 season as the second half of a two-part deal that sent Trevor Cahill to Atlanta. Reyes has tremendous hand-eye coordination and bat-to-ball skills that rival just about anyone in the organization. But those attributes sometimes work against him as his ability to make contact can sometimes lead to him swinging at--and putting in play--pitches out of the zone. Reyes' biggest knock remains his lack of power; in four years at full-season levels he has yet to post a slugging percentage north of .416. Coaches believe he can tap into more power if he can become a more disciplined hitter but it might never be a big part of his game. He's a good competitor and puts together tough at-bats. He's an above-average runner and thrower, making him a solid defender in right field, and though he hasn't played much center field some scouts believe he's at least playable there. With the Tigers, Reyes likely has to prove he can slide to center in a pinch to stick all season as a backup outfielder. Long-term, he and Michael Gerber fill a similar role and Gerber has more power, so he's got to keep developing to stick around.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #23 prospect in 2017
  The Diamondbacks acquired Reyes from the Braves in April 2015 as part of a two-part trade that sent Trevor Cahill to Atlanta for salary relief, with the switch-hitting Reyes being swapped for a 2015 supplemental second-round pick. Reyes hit well in his second season with Arizona, batting .303/.349/.416 at high Class A Visalia with significantly better numbers in the second half. The consistent rap on him is that while he makes good contact and can handle velocity, he lacks strength in his swing and hits for very little power. He won't drive many balls over the fence but will hopefully develop more doubles power in time. He showed progress by learning how to hit the ball out in front and elevate the baseball. An at least above-average runner, Reyes legged out 12 triples and stole 20 bases in 2016. He's an above-average defender in the outfield, with his above-average arm being enough for right field. While he hasn't seen much time in center field, he's a competent defender there. Reyes will move to Double-A Jackson in 2017.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #26 prospect in 2016
  The Diamondbacks acquired Reyes from the Braves in a two-part trade that transpired in early April 2015. First, Arizona sent Trevor Cahill to Atlanta for salary relief, then the D-backs reciprocated by sending a 2015 supplemental second-round pick to the Braves for Reyes, a 20-year-old, switch-hitting outfielder. (The draft pick added $814,300 to Atlanta's draft bonus pool.) Reyes spent the 2014 season at low Class A Rome, and the D-backs had him repeat the level in 2015. He finished third in the Midwest League batting race. While Reyes is a career .299 hitter in four pro seasons, he has absolutely no over-thefence power. He has at least average bat speed from both sides of the plate and shows a knack to hit and an ability to barrel the ball. He's more of a line-drive hitter who doesn't produce much loft in his swing, but adding strength to his lean, lanky frame might allow him to develop gap power. He's a slightly below-average runner and an average defender with an average arm who can capably handle an outfield corner. Reyes moves to to high Class A Visalia in 2016.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #22 prospect in 2015
  Reyes was the Braves' top international acquisition in 2011 when he signed for $365,000. In his first full-season assignment in 2014, he hit well against righthanders on a weak low Class A Rome club before a lower-leg infection cut his campaign short in mid-July. Reyes has a disciplined and patient approach and covers the plate well without expanding the zone. He generates above-average bat speed and drives the ball into the gaps when he keeps his weight back. With his long arms, he needs to stay inside the ball to keep from getting beat on pitches on the inner half. A lean and lanky player, Reyes is still maturing and growing into his body. The Braves expected him to hit for power upon signing him but that tool has yet to materialize. Reyes moved to right field in 2104 and performed well, displaying good athleticism and an above-average arm with solid carry on his throws. He likely will begin 2015 at high Class A Carolina.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2014
  The Braves' top international signing in 2011, Reyes agreed to a $365,000 bonus. Since then he has made quick adjustments and emerged as a sleeper who could blossom into one of the system's top outfield prospects. After toiling in the Dominican Summer League in 2012, Reyes made his U.S. debut the following year and wound up splitting time between the Rookie-level Gulf Coast and Appalachian leagues, hitting a combined .342/.387/.409 in 49 games and ranking as the No. 14 prospect in the GCL. Reyes has an ideal athletic frame that could easily add another 20 pounds of muscle as he matures. While his power has yet to emerge, Reyes generates above-average bat speed from the left side and can drive the ball when he keeps his hands and weight back. He has an advanced approach for a young player, displaying good patience while covering the plate well and rarely expanding the strike zone. He runs well for his size and has enough carry on his throws to play right field, though he has been limited to left thus far in pro ball. The Braves want to see what Reyes can achieve in a full-season league and will assign him to low Class A Rome to open 2014.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #14 prospect in 2013
  When Reyes was trying out for teams in Venezuela, he trained with Ricardo Petit, who is the brother of Rolando Petit, the Braves? Venezuela-based assistant director of Latin American operations. Atlanta signed Reyes for $365,000 when the international signing period opened on July 2, 2011, which made him their top international signing of the year. After a successful debut in the DSL last year, Reyes performed well in the GCL, earning a promotion to the Appalachian League in early August. Reyes drew attention from scouts initially for his size and power potential, but it?s been his bat and mature approach that have stood out. He?s a switch-hitter with good plate coverage who doesn?t expand his strike zone. He hasn?t shown much power yet in games, but he has room to add another 30 pounds to his frame. Reyes has mostly been limited to left field, but he runs well for his size and has a solid arm, so he should be able to work in right field.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  The Diamondbacks acquired Reyes from the Braves in a two-part trade that transpired in early April 2015. First, Arizona sent Trevor Cahill to Atlanta for salary relief, then the D-backs reciprocated by sending a 2015 supplemental second-round pick to the Braves for Reyes, a 20-year-old, switch-hitting outfielder. (The draft pick added $814,300 to Atlanta's draft bonus pool.) Reyes spent the 2014 season at low Class A Rome, and the D-backs had him repeat the level in 2015. He finished third in the Midwest League batting race. While Reyes is a career .299 hitter in four pro seasons, he has absolutely no over-thefence power. He has at least average bat speed from both sides of the plate and shows a knack to hit and an ability to barrel the ball. He's more of a line-drive hitter who doesn't produce much loft in his swing, but adding strength to his lean, lanky frame might allow him to develop gap power. He's a slightly below-average runner and an average defender with an average arm who can capably handle an outfield corner. Reyes moves to to high Class A Visalia in 2016.