Keith Reed has the power, speed, and defensive skills needed to be a successful professional baseball player. But the knock on the 1999 first-round draft pick was whether he could hit consistently to ever reach the major leagues on a full-time basis.
Reed may be answering those critics this year as he enters his eighth year in the Orioles? organization and second season with the Triple-Ottawa Lynx. He began this week batting .293 with four homers, 25 RBI and is among the International League leaders with 25 doubles.
He has also gained the reputation of having a great arm that was on full display when he threw out Pawtucket?s Luke Allen at home plate from right field June 26. Reed said the key to his success this year is his ability to be more patient during his at-bats.
“I think the last few months I?ve been more patient at the plate, while getting myself some better hitting counts,” said Reed, the 23rd player taken overall in the 1999 amateur draft. “Defense has never been an issue for me. The difference for me now is I?m more selective with my pitches, where in the past I would swing even if I got a different pitch than I was expecting.”
Ottawa manager Dave Trembley said Reed may have taken longer to develop, but that doesn?t mean he doesn?t have the ability to play at the major league level.
“Keith has shown improvement each year in the minors,” said Trembley, who also managed Reed at Double-A Bowie. “He?s a guy that was drafted on his tools and it took him some time to learn when to lay off pitches outside the strike zone.”
Orioles Director of Minor League Operations David Stockstill said Reed is starting to realize his potential and will be a candidate for a September call-up and/or if the Orioles need outfield help. Reed?s lone big league experience came last year when he appeared in six games, mostly as a defensive replacement or a pinch runner.
“Keith?s defense is outstanding and he is looking to put all of his tools together on offense,” Stockstill said.
THE REED FILE
Position: Outfield
Age: 27
Hometown: Yarmouth Port, Mass.
Did you know? Reed?s lone major league hit came May 15 at the Chicago White Sox off Luis Vizcaino ? He spent three years at Bowie, including 2004 where he batted .295 and was an Eastern League All Star ? He attended Providence College and was named Big East Conference Player of the Year after batting .398 with 17 homers and a school-record 79 RBI ? He led the Friars to the NCAA tournament in their final season of collegiate baseball.
