The Buddy Reed Show continues to be one of the most entertaining in baseball this spring, and the latest episode brought another eye-opening highlight play.
During the fourth inning of Sunday¡¯s 1-0 loss to the White Sox at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz., Reed -- the A¡¯s No. 21 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- perfectly timed a leap above the center-field wall just to the left of the 411-foot mark to rob reigning American League Most Valuable Player Jos¨¦ Abreu of extra bases. The spectacular play immediately earned a tip of the cap from right-hander Jordan Weems, who had just entered the game in relief of starter Frankie Montas.
Reed¡¯s impressive Spring Training resum¨¦ continues to grow. His first week of Cactus League action featured him gunning down runners on the basepaths with assists from two different outfield spots, two clutch home runs and a steal of third base.
¡°He¡¯s done just about everything this camp,¡± A¡¯s manager Bob Melvin said. ¡°We saw his arm early on in camp. This is typically a tough field to play in Spring Training with the sun in your face. I don¡¯t know if anybody else makes that play.¡±
With multiple outfielders getting a late start to camp, Reed, who played in his 14th spring game on Sunday, is receiving much more playing time than was originally expected. Though there still appear to be a couple of players ahead of him on the depth chart, the 25-year-old continues to turn in performances that are capturing the attention of the big league staff as he looks to crack the Opening Day roster.
¡°He continues to impress and is having a great time with it,¡± Melvin said. ¡°This is the best we¡¯ve seen him playing and he¡¯ll continue to get an opportunity.¡±