Michael Reed

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #30 prospect in 2017
  The Brewers weathered injuries to the major league outfield in 2016, presenting an opportunity for Reed to move up and seize the day--but he seemed to be struggling at Triple-A Colorado Spring every time a chance arose. He remained in the Pacific Coast League all season before finally receiving a late-September callup when center fielder Keon Broxton was lost with a broken wrist. Reed is a physical player with a football background who approaches the game with the aggressiveness and intensity of the other sport. Known for a good eye at the plate and plus patience, he ranked fourth in the PCL with 74 walks in 2016, though he hit just .248 with well below-average power. He also struck out about a quarter of the time. Reed is an above-average runner who shows good instincts on the bases. That speed serves him well in center field, but he mostly played right field in 2016, where his arm strength is an asset. At this point, Reed's ceiling appears to be extra outfielder with on-base ability and speed, though as a righthanded hitter, he will need to shine in those areas to elevate himself above lefthanded candidates for the bench.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #17 prospect in 2016
  When Reed showed up for spring training in 2015, he looked like a different player. After a winter of football-style workouts--his father Benton played defensive end and appeared briefly in the NFL--he transformed his body into a much stronger version, and he used that added strength to his advantage by getting off to a strong start at Double-A Biloxi. Injuries held Reed back in previous seasons but he stayed healthy in 2015 and hit his way to Triple-A Colorado Springs with an .801 OPS and 30 extra-base hits in 93 games with the Shuckers. He returned to Biloxi to help in the Southern League playoffs, then received a callup to Milwaukee in mid-September. The Brewers continued to press his development with an assignment to the Arizona Fall League. With a good eye at the plate and discipline to lay off pitches, Reed has been one of the better on-base percentage players in the system since he was drafted. He has the speed to handle center field but with a plus arm and budding power potential, Reed is a great fit in right field. He has shown good speed and instincts on the bases. He appears destined for the Pacific Coast League in 2015 and could be on target for a long big league career, perhaps as an extra outfielder.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #14 prospect in 2015
  The Brewers have had high hopes for Reed since signing him for $500,000 in 2011, but they knew that because of his youth, he would require time to fulfill his potential. The more scouts see of Reed, the more they like him, for he does many fundamental things well. Reed has the speed to handle center field, but with his strong, accurate arm he played mostly right field in 2014, in deference to Brevard teammate Tyrone Taylor. Reed has not yet shown the pop normally associated with a corner position. Though he didn't hit for a high average at Brevard, which is a tough park on righthanded hitters, he showed better discipline and took enough walks to lead the high Class A Florida State League in OBP. He must continue to work on lowering his strikeout rate and put more balls in play. Reed has had injury issues as a pro and missed about 30 games in 2014. He appears poised to move up to Double-A Biloxi in 2015.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #31 prospect in 2013
  While in extended spring training waiting for Rookie-level Helena's season to begin last year, Reed got some extra playing time, briefly at Double-A Huntsville, then for a bit longer at high Class A Brevard County, because of outfield shortages with those clubs. With only 14 games of pro experience under his belt after signing for $500,000 in 2011, he held his own at Brevard. After reporting to Helena, he did not fare as well as expected given his talent level. His main skill remains his plus speed, both in center field and on the bases. Reed has yet to show any of the power the Brewers thought he would develop, and many scouts thought he was maxed out physically as an amateur. The son of a former NFL player, Reed has the arm strength to play right field but won't fit the profile for the position if he is unable to hit for power. He needs to concentrate more on making contact first to take full advantage of his speed. Reed probably will be sent to low Class A Wisconsin for his first legitimate full-season stop.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #24 prospect in 2012
  Though the Brewers focused on pitching in the 2011 draft, they also came away with a potential five-tool outfielder when they signed Reed in the fifth round for $500,000. If he hadn't turned pro, he would have played at Mississippi, where his father Benton played football en route to a brief NFL career. Michael has plus speed and raw power. He doesn't get cheated at the plate, though he may have to tone down his swing to hit for average. He has enough range to make center field a possibility, and after throwing 90-mph fastballs as a high school pitcher, he clearly has the arm strength for right field. Some area scouts weren't as high on Reed, considering him a physically maxed-out player who does everything with effort. Milwaukee believes he's much more than that and will send him to low Class A for his first full pro season.