Matt Reynolds Stats & Scouting Report

AB	475
AVG	.229
OBP	.301
SLG	.326
HR	7

Full name Matthew William Reynolds
Born 12/03/1990 in Tulsa, OK
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arkansas
Debut 05/17/2016
Drafted in the 2nd round (71st overall) by the New York Mets in 2012 (signed for $525,000).

View Draft Report

Reynolds opened his college career as a shortstop before a torn thumb ligament short-circuited his freshman season. He has played more at third base since, both for the Razorback and for USA Baseball's college national team last summer. He's a solid athlete with a tweener profile: defensive tools suited for third and a bat that profiles better up the middle. Reynolds lacks third-base power, with a line-drive, gap-to-gap approach. He doesn't have the proper load in his swing to produce more than fringe-average power. He responded well to last summer's challenge of playing with Team USA and later in the Cape Cod League, improving his preparation and pushing himself to improve. He was Arkansas' best hitter this spring (.350/.460/.541) thanks to a more consistent approach and better patience at the plate. He's an average runner who can steal a bag as well. Reynolds may hit his way into an everyday role if he gets the chance to play shortstop or second base as a pro, as he has soft hands, good footwork and an above-average arm.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Reynolds' performance swung dramatically from one extreme to the other early in his pro career. The 2012 second-rounder hit just .226 at high Class A St. Lucie in 2013 but followed with a .343 campaign in 2014 that got him to Triple-A Las Vegas in the second half and placed him sixth in the overall minor league batting race. Reynolds spent most of 2015 and 2016 in the Pacific Coast League, establishing himself as a near-average hitter with gap power and solid-average speed. He hits lefthanders particularly well, though he strikes out too much for a player with only modest power. Reynolds made his big league debut in 2016, receiving four different callups to New York and starting games at shortstop, second base and third base. That versatility will be Reynolds' ticket to an expanded role. While he has ordinary range, he has sound hands, a high game IQ and the plus arm to handle any infield assignment. Scouts see him as a future utility infielder or possible second-division starter at second base.
When Reynolds hit .343 at two levels in 2014 and challenged for the minor league batting title--he finished sixth in the race--he appeared to be positioned for a big league callup in 2015. That call came on Oct. 12, on the heels of a mediocre season at Triple-A Las Vegas and as an injury replacement for shortstop Ruben Tejada, who suffered a broken right fibula when the Dodgers' Chase Utley barreled into him during an attempted double-play pivot in the National League Division Series. Reynolds played third base at Arkansas and has played mostly shortstop as a pro, but scouts envision him at second base or in a utility role in the majors. A heady player who positions himself well on defense, he has the average range and arm strength to handle any infield assignment. Reynolds recognizes pitch types well and uses a short swing geared for contact to wear out the gaps. He won't hit many home runs, but he sees lefthanders well and has hit .329 against them in the high minors. He doesn't run all that well, but his instincts play on the bases. Reynolds might be in the wrong organization to break in as a utility player. Above him on the middle-infield depth chart are Wilmer Flores, Dilson Herrera and Tejada, while Gavin Cecchini and Amed Rosario are climbing the ladder behind him. Reynolds will be at Las Vegas in 2016 in the event the Mets need an infield assist.
Reynolds evokes comparisons with Mark Ellis and Mark Loretta for his hard-nosed, gamer approach and his background as a college shortstop who probably fits best at second base in the majors. He challenged for the minor league batting title in 2014, ranking sixth while hitting .343/.405/.454 at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas. Reynolds projects to be an average hitter, owing to his balanced, line-drive stroke and quiet hitting approach. He doesn't loft the ball for home-run power, but he can put the ball in play to the gaps for doubles, particularly to right-center field. He's a below-average runner, though quick enough to make all the routine plays at shortstop, with the sure hands and average, accurate arm to play any infield position capably. Reynolds' probable big league role ranges from utility infielder to starting second baseman, but he shouldn't require much more Triple-A time in 2015.
The Mets prioritized makeup, contact ability and strike-zone discipline when selecting position players at the top of the 2012 draft, and Gavin Cecchini, Kevin Plawecki and Reynolds all fit the description. A torn thumb ligament forced Reynolds off shortstop as an Arkansas freshman, and he wound up playing mostly third base in college. After signing him for $525,000 in the second round, New York shifted him back to shortstop and jumped him to Savannah, bypassing Cecchini in Rookie-level Kingsport and Phillip Evans in Brooklyn. Reynolds draws below-average grades for power, as he's more of a line-drive, gap-to-gap hitter, as well as his speed. One scout timed him at 4.5 seconds to first base, good for a 30 grade on the 20-80 scale. The Mets love his short stroke, strike-zone control and defensive actions. "He's a cool customer," said one club official, "He takes a cerebral, low-key approach to hitting. He's not an anxious hitter--he's just a hitter." Reynolds adjusted after a slow start at the plate and applies instruction well, drawing comparisons to a young Aaron Hill. His lack of quickness might not make him a safe bet at shortstop, though his above-average arm, soft hands and sure feet would fit at second or third base. The Mets expect him to be ready for high Class A in his first full pro season.

Draft Prospects

Reynolds opened his college career as a shortstop before a torn thumb ligament short-circuited his freshman season. He has played more at third base since, both for the Razorback and for USA Baseball's college national team last summer. He's a solid athlete with a tweener profile: defensive tools suited for third and a bat that profiles better up the middle. Reynolds lacks third-base power, with a line-drive, gap-to-gap approach. He doesn't have the proper load in his swing to produce more than fringe-average power. He responded well to last summer's challenge of playing with Team USA and later in the Cape Cod League, improving his preparation and pushing himself to improve. He was Arkansas' best hitter this spring (.350/.460/.541) thanks to a more consistent approach and better patience at the plate. He's an average runner who can steal a bag as well. Reynolds may hit his way into an everyday role if he gets the chance to play shortstop or second base as a pro, as he has soft hands, good footwork and an above-average arm.

Career Transactions

3B Matt Reynolds elected free agency.
Cincinnati Reds sent 3B Matt Reynolds outright to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent 3B Matt Reynolds outright to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds designated 3B Matt Reynolds for assignment.
Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of 3B Matt Reynolds from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of 3B Matt Reynolds from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds invited non-roster 3B Matt Reynolds and to spring training.
Louisville Bats activated 3B Matt Reynolds.
Cincinnati Reds sent 3B Matt Reynolds outright to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds designated 3B Matt Reynolds for assignment.
Cincinnati Reds activated 3B Matt Reynolds.
Cincinnati Reds activated 3B Matt Reynolds from the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds sent 3B Matt Reynolds on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent 3B Matt Reynolds on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds placed 3B Matt Reynolds on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 22, 2022. Left hip pain.
Cincinnati Reds activated SS Matt Reynolds.
New York Mets designated SS Matt Reynolds for assignment.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to New York Mets.
SS Matt Reynolds roster status changed by New York Mets.
New York Mets signed free agent SS Matt Reynolds to a minor league contract.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Syracuse Mets.
SS Matt Reynolds elected free agency.
Charlotte Knights activated SS Matt Reynolds from the temporarily inactive list.
Charlotte Knights placed SS Matt Reynolds on the temporarily inactive list.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Charlotte Knights from White Sox Alternate Training Site.
Chicago White Sox invited non-roster SS Matt Reynolds to spring training.
Charlotte Knights activated SS Matt Reynolds.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent SS Matt Reynolds.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent SS Matt Reynolds to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent SS Matt Reynolds to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
SS Matt Reynolds elected free agency.
Kansas City Royals sent SS Matt Reynolds outright to Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals designated SS Matt Reynolds for assignment.
Kansas City Royals selected the contract of SS Matt Reynolds from Royals Alternate Training Site.
Royals Alternate Training Site activated SS Matt Reynolds from the 10-day injured list.
Royals Alternate Training Site placed SS Matt Reynolds on the 10-day injured list.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Royals Alternate Training Site from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals signed free agent SS Matt Reynolds to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers.
SS Matt Reynolds elected free agency.
Fresno Grizzlies activated SS Matt Reynolds from the 7-day injured list.
Fresno Grizzlies placed SS Matt Reynolds on the 7-day injured list.
Washington Nationals invited non-roster SS Matt Reynolds to spring training.
Washington Nationals sent SS Matt Reynolds outright to Fresno Grizzlies.
Washington Nationals designated SS Matt Reynolds for assignment.
Washington Nationals recalled SS Matt Reynolds from Fresno Grizzlies.
Washington Nationals optioned Matt Reynolds to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals recalled Matt Reynolds from Syracuse Chiefs.
Syracuse Chiefs activated SS Matt Reynolds from the 7-day disabled list.
Syracuse Chiefs sent SS Matt Reynolds on a rehab assignment to Auburn Doubledays.
Syracuse Chiefs placed SS Matt Reynolds on the 7-day disabled list.
Washington Nationals optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals recalled Matt Reynolds from Syracuse Chiefs.
Washington Nationals optioned 3B Matt Reynolds to Syracuse Chiefs.
New York Mets traded 3B Matt Reynolds to Washington Nationals for cash.
New York Mets designated 3B Matt Reynolds for assignment.
New York Mets recalled 3B Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets recalled Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets recalled Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets recalled Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
Matt Reynolds roster status changed by New York Mets.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets reassigned 3B Matt Reynolds to the minor leagues.
New York Mets recalled 3B Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned 3B Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets recalled Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets recalled Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets recalled Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
New York Mets optioned SS Matt Reynolds to Las Vegas 51s.
Matt Reynolds roster status changed by New York Mets.
New York Mets reassigned SS Matt Reynolds to the minor leagues.
New York Mets selected the contract of SS Matt Reynolds from Las Vegas 51s.
Las Vegas 51s activated SS Matt Reynolds from the 7-day disabled list.
Las Vegas 51s sent SS Matt Reynolds on a rehab assignment to GCL Mets.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Pacific Coast League All-Stars.
Las Vegas 51s placed SS Matt Reynolds on the 7-day disabled list.
New York Mets invited non-roster SS Matt Reynolds to spring training.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Las Vegas 51s from Binghamton Mets.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to Binghamton Mets from St. Lucie Mets.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to New York Mets.
SS Matt Reynolds assigned to St. Lucie Mets from Binghamton Mets.
Matt Reynolds assigned to Binghamton Mets from St. Lucie Mets.
Matt Reynolds assigned to Binghamton Mets from St. Lucie Mets.
Matt Reynolds assigned to St. Lucie Mets from Savannah Sand Gnats.
IF Matt Reynolds assigned to New York Mets.
Matt Reynolds roster status changed by Savannah Sand Gnats.
Savannah Sand Gnats placed 3B Matt Reynolds on the 7-day disabled list.
3B Matt Reynolds assigned to Savannah Sand Gnats.
New York Mets signed 3B Matt Reynolds.
3B Matt Reynolds assigned to USA National Team.
New York Mets selected the contract of SS Matt Reynolds from Syracuse Mets.
Cincinnati Reds claimed SS Matt Reynolds off waivers from New York Mets.