Last month we talked about the possibility of Houston Astros top prospect A.J. Reed making his MLB debut in 2016, especially after the team non-tendered first baseman Chris Carter. That notion is beginning to pick up steam as the 22-year-old was rated the top prospect in baseball by MLB.com.
Rumors have suggested Reed has a favorable chance of cracking the MLB roster, especially if fellow first baseman Jon Singelton can't figure out his offensive game. Now that Reed has gained recognition as the best prospect in the MLB and Astros' farm system, the slugger could be poised to make his impact next season.
"Reed had a spectacular first full season as a pro, leading the Minors in runs (113), homers (34), RBIs (127), total bases (320), slugging (.612) and OPS (1.044) while winning the Class A Advanced California League MVP Award and continuing to mash following a promotion to Double-A," writes Jim Callis of MLB.com. "With his penchant for making consistent hard contact and waiting out pitchers reluctant to challenge him, Reed could claim Houston's first-base job as soon as he proves he can hit advanced left-handers."
Reed was drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft after passing up being selected by the New York Mets in the 25th round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Instead, he attended the University of Kentucky and made his professional debut in 2014. He played only 68 games, but managed to bat .289/.375/.522 with 43 runs scored, 12 home runs and 54 RBI between Short Season A Tri-City and Class A Quad Cities.
As Callis noted, his 2015 campaign was a tremendous breakout for the youngster and that will certainly play into the Astros' 2016 plans. In fact, ESPN's Dan Szymborski predicts Reed to be Houston's fifth-most prolific player next year thanks to a projected .261/.338/.456 stat line with 86 runs scored, 26 home runs and 84 RBIs, in addition to a 2.6 WAR, in 633 plate appearances at the MLB level.
Reed's ascension could be a fast one if he continues his surge throughout the minor leagues. He finished the 2015 season with 53 games at Double-A, and based on his success at that level, the Astros could start him at Triple-A in 2016.
Then again, Reed was invited to spring training this year, so he could make a case to skip Fresno and go straight to the MLB.
"Reed's upside is significant," writes J.J. Cooper of Baseball America. "He has a chance to become one of the rare players who can produce above-average on-base and slugging percentages thanks to selectivity and excellent power. He hasn't shown he can do the same damage against lefthanders, and he still can be induced to chase a good breaking ball, so the Astros have some incentive to let him head to Triple-A Fresno to begin the 2016 season. But he will get a chance to compete for a big league job in spring training."
