A week ago, the Milwaukee Brewers had a small cache of capable center fielders — a large reason why there was no need to call up outfielder Michael Reed.
But after Keon Broxton suffered a fractured right wrist after slamming into a wall chasing a catch and fill-in Kirk Nieuwenhuis left with continuing issues with an abdominal strain, Reed seemed to be the next best option.
Many may have thought the Brewers would considering looking to Lewis Brinson, the immense outfield talent Milwaukee acquired in the Jonathan Lucroy trade. Since being acquired, Brinson, currently rated the No. 16 overall prospect in baseball by both Baseball America and MLB (Brewers No. 1), has been on a torrid pace in the minors, batting .382/.387.618 with four home runs, 20 runs batted in, and four stolen bases in only 23 games before the season ended Sept. 5.
But considering Brinson would be two weeks removed from action and isn’t on the 40-man roster, there should be little question as to his availability.
Reed has shown some potential in the minor leagues this season as well, a repeat from the success he also found last year.
In 2015, Reed hit .269/.371/.410 with five home runs, 70 RBI, and 26 stolen bases between 93 games with Double-A Biloxi and 38 games with Triple-A Colorado Springs. The production earned him a brief seven-game major-league stint with the team, going 2-for-6 with two runs scored and a double as a pinch hitter.
This season, he’s shown similar potential, batting .248/.366/.365 with eight home runs, 45 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in Triple-A. The Brewers have shown obvious interest in having him join the team at some point this season, keeping him on the 40-man roster.
Outside of his offensive upside, Reed also has an additional defensive bonus – he can play all fields. In Colorado Springs alone this season, he’s made nearly 50 starts in center field, over 20 in left field, and 40 in right, making him one of the most versatile pieces currently on the brink of the majors.
Whether or not there will be room for Reed in the outfield come 2017 remains to be seen but if the speculation of the team considering to move Ryan Braun has any truth to it, there may be some space opening up in left field sooner than later.
So far with the team, Reed has gone 1-for-5 with a hit and two strikeouts.
Jonathan Powell is the Managing Editor of Outside Pitch MLB and the Milwaukee Brewers writer. Follow him on Twitter @jonathannashhh.
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