Drafted in the 10th round (310th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 (signed for $1,500).
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Reks has taken a long-and-winding road to Kentucky and potentially pro ball. After beginning his college career at Air Force, he transferred to Kentucky and tried to walk-on, but didn't make the team. He left school and began working at a nearby Toyota plant. He returned to school with improved strength after hitting the weights harder, made the team in a second try as a walk-on and turned into one of the most productive hitters in one of the best lineups in the country this year. Reks has potentially fringe-average power to go with an average hit tool, making him a productive senior sign.
Scouting Reports
TRACK RECORD: Reks struggled as an Air Force freshman and transferred to Kentucky, where he failed to make the team as a walk-on. He spent the next two years as a student-only until Wildcats assistant coach Rick Eckstein saw him athletically dismount a scooter and asked him to try out again. Reks made the team, became a starting outfielder and was drafted by the Dodgers in the 10th round in 2017 as a senior sign. He quickly made his way up the minors and hit .291/.385/.536 with 28 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2019. The Dodgers brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and added him to the 40-man roster after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Reks' game is simple: he can hit. He gets on plane quickly and has a quick, adjustable swing from the left side that allows him to cover the entire plate. He has an efficient swing path and frequently finds the barrel to generate home run power to all fields. Reks is at least an average hitter with average power, but he's a liability defensively. He's well below-average in left field and struggles both coming in and going back on balls. His arm strength is fringe-average, but he's accurate and has a quick release.
THE FUTURE: Reks will benefit if the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter. He is in position for his major league debut in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Reks struggled as an Air Force freshman and transferred to Kentucky, where he failed to make the team as a walk-on. He spent the next two years as a student-only until Wildcats assistant coach Rick Eckstein saw him athletically dismount a scooter and asked him to try out again. Reks made the team, became a starting outfielder and was drafted by the Dodgers in the 10th round in 2017 as a senior sign. He quickly made his way up the minors and hit .291/.385/.536 with 28 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2019. The Dodgers brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and added him to the 40-man roster after the season.
SCOUTING REPORT: Reks' game is simple: he can hit. He gets on plane quickly and has a quick, adjustable swing from the left side that allows him to cover the entire plate. He has an efficient swing path and frequently finds the barrel to generate home run power to all fields. Reks is at least an average hitter with average power, but he's a liability defensively. He's well below-average in left field and struggles both coming in and going back on balls. His arm strength is fringe-average, but he's accurate and has a quick release.
THE FUTURE: Reks will benefit if the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter. He is in position for his major league debut in 2021.
Career Transactions
San Antonio Missions placed OF Zach Reks on the 7-day injured list.
OF Zach Reks assigned to San Antonio Missions.
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