Keith Reed

Keith Allen Reed

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 205 lb.
• School Providence College
• High School Doherty High School (Worcester)
• Debut May 11, 2005
• Final Game May 18, 2005
• Born October 8, 1978 in Yarmouth Port, MA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Keith Reed was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round (23rd overall pick) in the 1999 amateur draft. Reed was one of the most promising players of that draft, and at the time seemed poised for stardom, but never came close to reaching that level of success. Baseball America ranked Reed as the best athlete, the second fastest athlete, and the third best arm strength in the 1999 draft.

In 1999, Reed started out with the Bluefield Orioles in the Appalachian League, and played in only 4 games in which he hit .188 (3 for 16) with no homers or RBI before being promoted to the Class A Delmarva Shorebirds, where he batted .258 with 4 HR's and 25 RBI to close out the year. Reed opened the 2000 season with the Shorebirds and batted .290 with 11 HR's and 59 RBI before being promoted to the A Frederick Keys, where he finished the year batting .235 with 8 HR's and 31 RBI. Reed started out the 2001 season with the Keys, batting .270 with 7 HR's and 29 RBI before being promoted to the AA Bowie Baysox, where he batted .254 (17 for 67) with 1 HR and 8 RBI before being promoted again to the AAA Rochester Red Wings, where he batted .311 with 2 HR and 11 RBI to finish the year. Baseball America named Reed the Orioles organization top prospect.

However, Reed slumped in 2002 with Bowie, batting only .246/.314/.383, with 15 HR's and 64 RBI, hardly great numbers for a top prospect. He continued to struggle in 2003, still with Bowie, batting .258/.314/.360 with 10 HR's and 39 RBI. In 2004, Reed's numbers at Bowie improved at age 25 to .295/.345/.468 with 16 HR's and 65 RBI. Reed started out the 2005 season with the AAA Ottawa Lynx, where he finally received his call-up to the Orioles later than expected, at age 26. Reed though only played in 6 games with the Orioles, going 1 for 5 (.200) with no home run and 1 RBI during one week spent with the big club in May. Reed spent the remainder of the year with Ottawa, where he batted .292 with 8 HR's and 37 RBI. He was also on a rehabilitation assignment with the Class A Aberdeen IronBirds, where he batted .258 with 4 HR's and 11 RBI. Reed returned with the Lynx in 2006, batting .279/.319/.441 with 10 HR's and 66 RBI in 115 games and 426 AB's.

The Orioles gave up on him after that season and Reed joined the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League for 2007.

Sources: Orioles Information And Record Book 2001

Related Sites

• Keith Reed's MLB Player Profile
• Baseball America 1992-2006 Orioles Organizational Top Prospects