Keith Reed

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2003
  No. 1 on this list two years ago, Reed continues to offer a maddening combination of outstanding athletic ability and inconsistent performance. Drafted as a 20-year-old out of Providence, Reed was pushed up the system in his first three seasons even though he had relatively little baseball experience and had been more of a basketball player growing up in the Northeast. After not being protected on the 40-man roster after the 2001 season, Reed finally spent an entire season in one place in 2002, but the results weren't encouraging in Double-A. He hasn't established a consistent approach at the plate. The Orioles worked with him again in instructional league to make adjustments so he can better handle breaking balls, as well as using the middle of the field and not trying to pull everything. He still has plenty of tools, particularly on defense, where he covers a lot of ground and has the best outfield arm in the organization. If he doesn't hit, though, it won't matter. Reed probably will get another shot at Double-A to start 2003.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #3 prospect in 2002
  Reed rose to the top of the Orioles' prospect list entering 2001, but was inexplicably exposed to the Rule 5 draft after getting bounced around the system. He was bothered by a leg injury at the beginning of the season and a hand injury at Bowie, but bounced back with solid three weeks at Triple-A Rochester. Regarded as one of the best athletes in the 1999 draft, Reed has done nothing to refute that. He's a pure tools player with good bat speed and the potential for a terrific power-speed combination. And his arm may be his strongest tool. Reed still is unrefined and needs lots of at-bats, which explains why he wasn't a Rule 5 pick. He still hasn't tapped into his power or speed. Pitch recognition is his biggest weakness at this point, and he needs to learn how to stay back on balls. Some in the organization also question his work habits. Reed's potential caused the Orioles to expect too much, too fast. He should return to Double-A and will develop into a good major league outfielder if the organization is patient.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #1 prospect in 2001
  Reed's career path has been as improbable as it has been steep. Growing up in Massachusetts he spent most of his athletic energy on basketball, but Providence College recruited him for baseball. He made steady improvement there but remained a virtual unknown heading into his junior season. After he hit .398-17-79, winning Big East Conference player-of-the-year honors and leading the Friars to an NCAA regional bid in the program's last season, people took notice of his all-around skills. The Orioles made him the 23rd overall pick in the 1999 draft, but even they have been pleased with his adjustment to pro ball, considering his relative inexperience. Reed elicits a common response in the organization: "There's nothing he can't do." He has true five-tool potential, and his arm may be his best tool. The most intriguing part of his package, though, is his power, which generates more line drives now but should increase as he matures. Even still, he had 19 home runs in 2000. Given how raw he was supposed to be, he shows a good approach at the plate and should cut down on his strikeouts as he moves up. And let's not forget his speed, which was rated among the best in his draft class. He uses his quickness well, getting caught only four times in 33 basestealing attempts last season. The organization thinks he can be a run producer in the mold of Joe Carter, with a better arm and better speed. The main thing Reed needs is experience. Because he grew up in a cold-weather region, he hasn't played as much baseball as many players his age. Some in the organization think he needs to improve his concentration, to be in the game mentally on every pitch. Others say Reed's concentration is fine, and that he's just one of those players who makes everything look easy. As surprising as Reed's early success has been, the organization still plans a patient approach. As he did by going back to Class A Delmarva to start the 2000 season, he'll probably go back to high Class A Frederick to start 2001. He's on track for a big league callup in 2002 and a chance for a full-time job in 2003.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #16 prospect in 2000
  The Orioles have several promising outfield prospects in their system, including four who appeared at Frederick in 2000, plus big league rookie Luis Matos and former football star Darnell McDonald. Reed compares favorably to Matos and it may not be long before he’s playing alongside him in the Baltimore outfield. "He has all the tools," Machemer said "He is very raw, but he's only going to get better." Reed's ability is obvious. He’s an athlete with all the natural skills scouts covet: speed, a strong arm and a quick swing that produces both base hits and home runs. CL baserunners learned quickly not to challenge his throwing ability. Reed has the quickness to play anywhere in the outfield, and his arm is a perfect fit for right field.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2000
  Reed wasn’t a hot commodity before breaking out in the spring of 1999 at Providence College. The fourth of seven Baltimore first-round picks in that year’s draft, he’s unknown no longer. He was on pace to hit more than 20 home runs and steal more than 40 bases before a midseason promotion to the Carolina League. "He’s a quiet type of player who doesn’t look like he’s doing that much," Legg said, "but then you look up and he’s made a fine play in the field and has a big hit and has done a little bit of everything to help his team win." Reed has an above-average arm and projects as a right fielder, though he has center-field speed. His power and much-improved strike zone discipline are almost scary, considering he has a lean build that could add more muscle.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #96 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The Orioles have several promising outfield prospects in their system, including four who appeared at Frederick in 2000, plus big league rookie Luis Matos and former football star Darnell McDonald. Reed compares favorably to Matos and it may not be long before he’s playing alongside him in the Baltimore outfield. "He has all the tools," Machemer said "He is very raw, but he's only going to get better." Reed's ability is obvious. He’s an athlete with all the natural skills scouts covet: speed, a strong arm and a quick swing that produces both base hits and home runs. CL baserunners learned quickly not to challenge his throwing ability. Reed has the quickness to play anywhere in the outfield, and his arm is a perfect fit for right field.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Reed wasn’t a hot commodity before breaking out in the spring of 1999 at Providence College. The fourth of seven Baltimore first-round picks in that year’s draft, he’s unknown no longer. He was on pace to hit more than 20 home runs and steal more than 40 bases before a midseason promotion to the Carolina League. "He’s a quiet type of player who doesn’t look like he’s doing that much," Legg said, "but then you look up and he’s made a fine play in the field and has a big hit and has done a little bit of everything to help his team win." Reed has an above-average arm and projects as a right fielder, though he has center-field speed. His power and much-improved strike zone discipline are almost scary, considering he has a lean build that could add more muscle.