Addison Reed

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #1 prospect in 2012
  Stephen Strasburg's college closer continues to make a name for himself. Like Daniel Hudson and Chris Sale before him, Reed shot through the White Sox system and was one of the first members of his draft class to reach the majors. A thirdround pick signed for $358,200 in 2010, Reed started last year in low Class A Kannapolis and moved one level at a time before getting to Chicago in September. The only 2010 draftees to arrive in the big leagues before him were White Sox teammate Chris Sale, Josh Spence and Chance Ruffin, all relievers. After saving 20 games with a 0.65 ERA in 2009, Reed replaced Strasburg as San Diego State's Friday starter as a junior and went 8-2, 2.50. Though he has the stuff to fit in a rotation, he made just two starts in his pro debut and none last year. He put up crazy minor league numbers in 2011, with a 1.26 ERA, a 111-14 K-BB ratio and a .157 opponent batting average in 78 innings. He wasn't as dominant in the majors, but he did strike out 12 of the 33 hitters he faced, including Miguel Cabrera twice. Reed's younger brother Austin pitches in the Cubs system after signing as a 12th-rounder out of high school in 2010. Reed has a great pitcher's build and a solid delivery, operating from a three-quarters arm slot. He works quickly and throws strikes, challenging hitters to beat him. He can make them look bad with either his fastball or slider. Reed works at 93-96 mph and touches 98 with a fastball that often runs in on righthanders. His slider grades better than his heater, with some scouts rating it as a plus-plus offering. His slider has late bite and arrives in the low 80s, giving it great separation in velocity from his fastball. It works almost as a changeup. Reed throws a true changeup as well and made strides with the pitch in 2011, though he doesn't have much need for it in relief. He has strong mound presence and a durable arm, two important attributes for a late-inning reliever. While he handled a full workload in his first full pro season, the White Sox generally gave Reed at least two days off between outings in the minors and didn't pitch him on back-to-back days after he reached the majors. He'll still have to prove he can get the job done on back-to-back days, but with his stuff, that shouldn't be a problem. Chicago is looking to get younger and cheaper with its starting rotation, and some club officials think Reed could help fill that need. But for now, the White Sox are developing him as a set-up man who ultimately could be used as a closer. They traded Sergio Santos, who had 30 saves in 2011, to the Blue Jays at the Winter Meetings and may move Sale to the rotation in 2012, so their closer's job is wide open. Reed has a terrific chance to win a bullpen role in spring training. If he progresses as rapidly as he did in 2011, it's not out of the question that he could be finishing games for the Sox by the end of the season.
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #13 prospect in 2011
  Did a little bit of Stephen Strasburg rub off on Reed? The White Sox sure hope so. Reed, whose younger brother Austin signed with the Cubs as a 12th-round pick last summer, closed out games for Strasburg at San Diego State in 2009, compiling 20 saves and a 0.65 ERA. After Strasburg went No. 1 overall in the 2009 draft, Reed moved into his spot as the Aztecs' Friday-night starter in 2010. He went 8-2, 2.50 in 79 innings to push himself into the third round of the 2010 draft and earn a $358,200 bonus. He looked polished in his pro debut, using his fastball/slider combination to dominate Rookie-level Pioneer League hitters. Reed pairs a 91-95 mph fastball with a slider that some scouts grade as a plus-plus pitch. Righthanders have trouble against him because his fastball runs in on them and his slider has late bite. He commands both of those pitches, pounding the strike zone when he's on. His changeup is a below-average offering, and his ability to improve it will determine whether his future is in the rotation or the bullpen. Reed has excellent makeup and a confident presence on the mound. He could move quickly as a reliever, but Chicago plans on keeping him as a starter for the time being. He could skip a level and open 2011 in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #8 prospect in 2010
  Reed succeeded Stephen Strasburg as San Diego State's Friday starter this spring and performed admirably. He served as the Aztecs' closer in 2009 and settled into a relief role at Great Falls. He was practically untouchable coming out of the pen, allowing just two runs, four walks and seven hits while striking out 35 in 22 innings. As a reliever, Reed wields two plus pitches in a 91-95 mph fastball and high-70s slider that features sharp, late bite. His fastball has tailing action to his arm side, and batters have a hard time picking up the ball out of his hand. He works all four quadrants of the strike zone and exudes confidence on the mound.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #66 prospect in 2012

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Stephen Strasburg's college closer continues to make a name for himself. Like Daniel Hudson and Chris Sale before him, Reed shot through the system and was one of the first members of his draft class to reach the majors. A third-round pick signed for $358,200 in 2010, Reed started last year in low Class A Kannapolis and moved one level at a time before getting to Chicago in September. The only 2010 draftees to arrive in the big leagues before him were White Sox teammate Chris Sale, Josh Spence and Chance Ruffin, all relievers. After saving 20 games with a 0.65 ERA in 2009, Reed replaced Strasburg as San Diego State's Friday starter as a junior and went 8-2, 2.50. Though he has the stuff to fit in a rotation, he made just two starts in his pro debut and none last year. He put up crazy minor league numbers in 2011, with a 1.26 ERA, a 111-14 K-BB ratio and a .157 opponent batting average in 78 innings. He wasn't as dominant in the majors, but he did strike out 12 of the 33 hitters he faced. Reed's younger brother Austin pitches in the Cubs system after signing as a 12th-rounder out of high school in 2010.Scouting Report: Reed has a great pitcher's build and a solid delivery, operating from a three-quarters arm slot. He works quickly and throws strikes, challenging hitters to beat him. He can make them look bad with either his fastball or slider. Reed works at 93-96 mph and touches 98 with a fastball that often runs in on righthanders. His slider grades better than his heater, with some scouts rating it as a plus-plus offering. His slider has late bite and arrives in the low 80s, giving it great separation in velocity from his fastball. It works almost as a changeup. Reed throws a true changeup as well and made strides with the pitch in 2011, though he doesn't have much need for it in relief. He has strong mound presence and a durable arm, two important attributes for a late-inning reliever. While he handled a full workload in his first full pro season, the White Sox generally gave Reed at least two days off between outings in the minors and didn't pitch him on back-to-back days after he reached the majors. He'll still have to prove he can get the job done on back-to-back days, but with his stuff, that shouldn't be a problem.The Future: Chicago is looking to get younger and cheaper with its rotation, and some club officials think Reed could help fill that need. But for now, the White Sox are developing him as a set-up man who ultimately could be used as a closer. They traded Sergio Santos, who had 30 saves in 2011, to the Blue Jays at the Winter Meetings and may move Sale to the rotation in 2012, so their closer's job is wide open. Reed has a terrific chance to win a bullpen role in spring training. If he progresses as rapidly as he did in 2011, it's not out of the question that he could be finishing games for the Sox by the end of the season.