Remey Reed Readies For Rotation

JUPITER, Fla.—Despite being dyslexic, righthander Remey Reed had a 3.8 grade-point average while at Oklahoma State and is now within three semesters of graduating with a double degree in economics and history.

And despite going undrafted out of high school—and with no Division I scholarship offers—Reed reshaped his body, built himself into a college standout and became a Marlins sixth-round pick in 2016.

It’s safe to say that Reed, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 215 pounds, has overcome significant issues in his career and his life.

“Remey’s a late bloomer,” said Danny Florence, who coached Reed with the Frozen Ropes travel team.

The Marlins hope Reed has more yet to bloom. The 21-year-old has been a reliever most of his career—just five of his 63 career appearances at OSU were starts.

Yet the Marlins drafted him as a starter, and it’s possible that he opens the season in the rotation at low Class A Greensboro because of his four-pitch mix and good command. Reed’s fastball touches 97 mph, and he also features a slider, curveball and changeup.

Reed’s father Rodney was a high school linebacker, but baseball has always been Remey’s sport. However, his pudgy 6-foot-1 frame attracted no D-I offers, so he went to Navarro (Texas) JC.

“Going juco was the smartest thing I’ve ever done,” Reed said. “I wasn’t ready for Division I at that time. I still had a lot of baby fat.”

After his season at Navarro, Reed then played summer ball for the Frozen Ropes program. One night, at a “no-name little tournament” in Edmond, Okla., Reed, who threw 88 mph in high school and in the low 90s at Navarro, was suddenly firing heat.

The radar gun read 97 mph, shocking Reed.

A member of the grounds crew, who was an OSU alumnus, called Cowboys coaches, who wasted no time coming to see Reed.

That’s how Reed became a Cowboy, and he credits OSU coaches with helping him transform his body and become a prospect.

FISH BITES

• Righthander Tyler Kolek, who had Tommy John surgery last April, hopes to return by May.

•The Marlins optioned lefthander Justin Nicolino to Triple-A, making him the final cut from the big league rotation. He logged 153 innings for Miami the past two seasons.

— Walter Villa is a writer based in Miami