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Last year the Padres had to wait until the 2nd round to make their first pick of the draft. This time around it is already the club’s fourth selection. Also with this selection they continue their pattern of going pitcher, position player, pitcher, position player with the selection of OF Buddy Reed out of the University of Florida.
MLB.com calls Reed “One of the best all-around athletes in the class” and also has this to say:
The switch-hitter has a tall, athletic build with the potential to do a lot of things well on the baseball field. A multisport standout in the Rhode Island high school ranks, Reed has plus speed that works on both sides of the ball. He should be a basestealing threat and can definitely stay in center field long-term. It's Reed's bat that needs the most work. He can make contact from both sides of the plate, but his setup and approach are inconsistent. Reed has strength, and he should grow into more, though his lack of extension from the left side could keep him from showing any power that way. A tendency to be tentative at the plate has plagued him, and while he had some good stretches, he didn't drive the ball consistently this spring. Refining of Reed's approach should help him reach his offensive ceiling. Even with the questions regarding his bat, he could go in the first round because of his tools, athleticism and lack of impact college hitters in the class.
Just in case you grew tired over the years of hearing how former Padre Will Venable was “young to baseball” it may happen all over again with Reed. He played hockey when he was younger and some use that explain why he needs more time to refine his approach. Reed even mentions it himself in this interview for MLBTradeRumors. That means the positive spin on Reed will always be that his baseball skills are behind his athletic tools and when they catch up his upside will be bigger than this second round selection suggests.
You can find some more info on Buddy Reed over at MinorLeagueBall.com.
You can also watch some video courtesy of YouTube and Baseball America.
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Check out our MLB Draft 2016 primer for information on following this year’s Draft, and join the conversation in our MLB Draft 2016 Day One Open Thread.