Justin Reed
| AB | 1439 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .23 |
| OBP | .311 |
| SLG | .347 |
| HR | 22 |
- Full name Justin J Reed
- Born 11/29/1987 in Jackson, MS
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Hillcrest Christian
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Drafted in the 4th round (114th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 (signed for $287,000).
View Draft Report
After a football game last fall when Reed ran for four touchdowns and more than 400 yards, he traveled to Atlanta the next morning and was on a baseball field with Team USA for the final junior national team trials. Reed didn't make the team, but he made a good impression. He has been offered a football scholarship to Mississippi but is expected to sign with a team that drafts him in the first five rounds. His exceptional work ethic makes up for his below-average instincts. He profiles as a table-setting center fielder, and has drawn comparisons to Tim Raines and Matt Lawton. He's a 60 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, but his defensive game is unrefined. His arm is average to a tick below. Reed improved at the plate as a senior, shortening his swing and making sharper contact. He will hit the ball to all fields with gap to gap power. Reed doesn't profile as a corner outfielder, so his ability to become a reliable center fielder will be paramount.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Mississippi doesn't produce many star high school baseball players, but Reed established his credentials as he made it to the final cut for the junior national team. He turned down a baseball scholarship from Mississippi to turn pro for $287,000. Reed's best asset is his speed. He's a 60 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale and profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter. He has a relatively short swing, which fits his profile, as he projects as having only gap power. His arm is a tick below-average, but should be playable for center field, where Reed fits best. The Gulf Coast League chewed up Reed and spit him out, as he hit only .150 over his final 40 at-bats. The Reds aren't especially concerned, as there are plenty of examples of high school players struggling in the complex league. He is a long ways away, and could use another year of short-season ball unless he stars in spring training.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Like Ortiz, Reed struggled in his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League last year and showed a lot of improvement in 2007. He began the year back in the GCL and hit .310/.386/.434 in 129 at-bats before his promotion to Billings. An outstanding athlete who was a star running back in high school, Reed has above-average speed. His swing is short but still needs some work. He strikes out to much and tends to dip his head and drop his back shoulder, which causes him to get under pitches. His speed gives him good range in center field, though he's still learning to get better reads off the bat and split time between left and center for the Mustangs. Reed's arm is slightly below average.
