June 6, 2011

Reed Feature on CSN Bay Area:

LOS ANGELES-- Stanford closer Chris Reed was selected in the first round of the first year amateur player's draft with the 16th overall selection, as the star lefthander was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I think he can definitely start," Dodger assistant GM Logan White said. "He's big, strong. He throws 92-95 [mph] with a hard slider 80-85 and actually has a good changeup. I could see him become one of our best left-handed pitching prospects. I definitely want to make him a starter."

Reed is the second closer in three seasons to go in the first round, joining current National closer, Drew Storen, the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft.

According to MLB.com, the scouting report in part says, "Reed might be the best arm few knew about heading into this year. The Stanford lefty hadn't pitched that much prior to this season and was serving as the school's closer. He's got the pure stuff for the role, with a fastball that he can get up to 96 mph, sitting typically anywhere from 91 to 95 mph, with good arm-side run."

The Reseda, Calif. native ranks third in the Pac-10 with nine saves in 11 attempts and has a 1.80 ERA in 27 relief appearances (45.0 IP). Overall he has a 2.54 ERA after starting the second game of the year and giving up seven earned runs in 4.2 inning loss. The rest of the season, the lefthander has given up seven earned runs over 45.0 innings with a 6-1 record. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection.

Baseball America in its analyis said, "A 6-foot-4, 190-pound lefthander from Stanford, Reed has mostly been used as a reliever for the Cardinal, but has the stuff to start in pro ball. His fastball varies from 89-91 mph some nights to 92-94 on others, and he has touched 96. He'll show a power slider and above-average changeup, but all of his stuff needs more consistency."

Reed had 25 career appearances and a 7.04 ERA prior to this season, but was rated as the top prospect and all star out of the Atlantic Collegiate Summer League following a 1.09 ERA over 33 innings and 11 games this past summer.

Stanford has now had 14 first round picks since 1997 and 22 for 35-year Clarke and Elizabeth Nelson Director of Baseball Mark Marquess.

The Cardinal (35-20), ranked No. 21, will head to the Super Regional at North Carolina, with the dates and times announced at aproximately 9 p.m. PT.