Josh Reddick Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4408
AVG	.262
OBP	.321
SLG	.426
HR	146

Full name William Joshua Reddick
Born 02/19/1987 in Savannah, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 197 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Middle Georgia State
Debut 07/31/2009
Drafted in the 17th round (523rd overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2006 (signed for $140,000).

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Injuries created several openings in Boston's outfield in 2010, but Reddick couldn't seize the opportunity. After batting .390 in big league camp but losing an Opening Day roster spot to Jeremy Hermida, Reddick didn't hit in April and June callups. He also endured his most extended slump in four minor league seasons, not getting going until he hit .351/.372/.627 in the second half in Triple-A. While Reddick doesn't have a below-average tool, he'll need to develop more patience and put less pressure on himself to make it in the majors. Though he has good bat speed and repeatedly barrels balls, he too often gets himself out by putting pitches in play that he should let go by. Reddick has solid power and speed, and he has improved defensively to the point where he can man center field. He fits best in right field, where his combination of arm strength, quick release and uncanny accuracy make him an assists machine. The Red Sox haven't given up on Reddick by any means, but Ryan Kalish has passed him and they signed Carl Crawford as a free agent. Boston doesn't appear to have an opening for Reddick on its 2011 roster, so he'll try to tone down his approach and make himself attractive to other clubs when he returns to Pawtucket.
The Red Sox planned to make Reddick a draft-and-follow in 2006, but signed him for $140,000 after he homered against Team USA's Ross Detwiler (the sixth overall pick in 2007). A strained oblique last May couldn't stop him from reaching the majors. All five of Reddick's tools are average or better. He makes hard contact against pitches all over and outside the strike zone, and he has plus raw power and speed. He has improved defensively since signing and is capable of playing center field, though he really shines in right. He enhances slightly above-average arm strength with an unbelievable release and accuracy, allowing him to record 50 assists in 290 pro games. Reddick enjoys hitting so much that he has little patience at the plate, running into streaks where he gets himself out. He showed more selectivity in 2009 but regressed once he got to Boston. He's still learning to use his speed effectively on the bases and isn't much of a threat to steal. Reddick likely will open 2010 at Triple-A Pawtucket. Once he solves upper-level pitching, he could factor into the left-field mix if Boston doesn't re-sign Jason Bay.
Originally selected as a draft-and-follow candidate in 2006, Reddick homered that summer off Team USA's Ross Detwiler (who became the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 draft), spurring the Red Sox to sign him immediately for $140,000. He has exceeded expectations by hitting .309/.354/.538 in two pro seasons, though he struggled in Double-A at the end of 2008. Reddick has a chance to become a five-tool player. While he's a free swinger, he doesn't chase pitches and has tremendous feel for making hard contact. He has solid-average speed and is capable of playing center field, and he has arguably the best outfield arm in the minors. With plus arm strength, a quick release and sniper accuracy, he has 41 assists in 209 pro games. Double-A pitchers exploited Reddick's aggressive nature, which keeps him from drawing many walks. He'll need to be more selective, but his problem is more a matter of not putting tough pitches in play than chasing balls out of the zone. Reddick will try to redeem himself against Double-A pitching in 2009. If the Red Sox don't sign Jason Bay to an extension, he could compete for a big league starting job in 2010.
When the Red Sox selected Reddick in the 17th round in 2006, they intended on making him a draft-and-follow. But when they watched him homer off Team USA's Ross Detwiler (who became the No. 6 overall pick in 2007), they moved to sign Reddick immediately for $140,000. Boston didn't have an opening for him at the start of last season, so he punished pitchers in extended spring training and then did the same when he got to low Class A. Reddick will consistently hit for average because he has a smooth lefty stroke, strong wrists and great feel for putting the bat on the ball. He doesn't chase pitches and drives them with little effort. He's a solid right fielder with good arm strength and precision accuracy, which enabled him to lead the South Atlantic League with 19 outfield assists. He's a smart baserunner. Reddick is so aggressive at the plate and makes so much contact that he rarely walks. Boston doesn't want to tone him down too much, but he needs to learn that he's better off letting pitches on the black go by and waiting for something more hittable. He's still filling out his frame, and his speed is already fringy. Lancaster features perhaps the best hitting environment in the minors, so Reddick could have a monster year in 2008. The Red Sox have no need to rush him but may not be able to hold his bat back for long.

Minor League Top Prospects

After flunking trials in Boston in the previous two seasons, Reddick made the most of his latest opportunity when injuries struck Carl Crawford and J.D. Drew this summer. Reddick played regularly for the Red Sox in the second half and was their most reliable corner outfielder. A dangerous hitter when he's on a hot streak, Redding went on a power binge early in the year while with Pawtucket, slamming eight home runs in April. He has average pop and projects as an average hitter. His last big hurdle was improving his plate discipline, which took a huge stride forward this season. Though he's not a basestealer, Reddick is an plus runner, especially underway. He has the defensive tools to play all three outfield positions, with above-average arm strength and pinpoint accuracy. While he has enough range to man center field, his best spot is in right, where he can take full advantage of his arm.
The Red Sox paraded several toolsy outfielders through Portland this season. Most EL observers preferred Reddick over Ryan Kalish. While Kalish had his backers and drew comparisons to David DeJesus and Mark Kotsay, Reddick has more athleticism and a bigger upside. Reddick has an impressive combination of power and speed. When he first came to the league at the end of 2008, pitchers exploited his aggressiveness, so the Red Sox batted him in the leadoff spot this year to improve his plate discipline. He took to his new role, drawing more walks and faring better against lefthanders than he had in the past. Reddick's plus speed plays better on defense, where he's a solid center fielder, than it does on the bases, where he needs more polish. He should have enough power to play a corner in the big leagues if the opportunity arises.
The Red Sox got Reddick one round before they took Anderson in the 2006 draft. While Anderson draws more attention, some Cal League observers regarded Reddick as a better all-around player. He made the league's postseason all-star team despite playing just 76 games before moving up to Double-A. Reddick is wiry at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, but the ball jumps off his bat and he should have good power. He controls the strike zone but is a very aggressive hitter, and the Red Sox have worked with him to become more selective and wait for pitches he can drive. Reddick also has good defensive skills, running well and showing plenty of arm for right field. An exceptionally accurate thrower, he has recorded 41 assists in two pro seasons.
The Red Sox drafted Reddick in the 17th round in 2006 with the idea of tracking him this spring as a draft-and-follow. Then they saw him homer in an exhibition game last summer against Team USA and Ross Detwiler, who went sixth overall in the 2007 draft. Boston changed its plans and signed him for $140,000, which looks like a bargain after his pro debut. Reddick joined Greenville in late May and hit for average and power from day one. He has a sweet lefthanded swing and generates his pop with strong wrists. Though not a blazer, he runs the bases well and can play all three outfield positions. He saw most of his action in right field, where he showed a strong arm. "I know a lot of people are watching Lars Anderson and Jason Place from that club, but Reddick really impressed me, particularly with the way the ball jumps off his bat," Teufel said. "He's an impressive lefthanded-hitting outfielder with a real good idea at the plate."