Knights in the 2015 MLB Postseason: Addison Reed
Former Charlotte Knights right-handed pitcher Addison Reed is currently a member of the New York Mets, who will play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The Mets went 90–72 to win the National League East Division this season. They finished seven games ahead of second place Washington.
Reed has proven to be a solid member of New York’s bullpen since he was acquired by the club on August 30, 2015 from Arizona in exchange for two minor league pitchers (Miller Diaz & Matt Koch). The former Knights hurler posted a 1–1 record with a 1.17 ERA down the stretch for the Mets this year (17 games).
A native of Montclair, CA, Reed was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft. The 6'4", 230-pound reliever quickly made his way through Chicago’s system. He made his professional debut in 2010 with Great Falls (Rookie League) and went 1–0 with a 1.80 ERA in 13 games with the Voyagers.
In 2011, Reed’s rise through the system was quick. He began the year with Single-A Kannapolis and posted a 1.12 ERA in four games. Next, it was on to High-A Winston-Salem, where Reed went 2–0 with a 2.54 ERA in 15 games. He continued to jump classifications, going to Double-A Birmingham next, where he compiled a 0–1 record with a minuscule 0.87 ERA in 13 games. Was he done there? Not even close.
Reed was promoted to Triple-A in late July and was sharp as a member of Charlotte’s bullpen. He struck-out four batters in two innings for his Triple-A debut on July 26 at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC.
Appearing in 11 games with Charlotte that year, the San Diego State University product posted a 1.27 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. It was his final test before a promotion to Chicago was in the cards.
On September 4, 2011, Reed made his major league debut with the White Sox against the Detroit Tigers (1.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO). On that day, his journey through the system that season came full circle. After beginning in Kannapolis, and continuing through Winston-Salem, Birmingham, and Charlotte, Reed was now a member of the White Sox at the young age of 22. He finished the season with a 0–0 record and a 3.68 ERA in six games with Chicago.
Overall in 43 games (combined between four teams) at the minor league level in 2011, Reed went 2–1 with a 1.26 ERA. He fanned a whopping 111 batters in 78.1 innings pitched.
Reed spent the next two seasons (2012–13) with the South Siders, saving 29 games in 2012 and a career-high 40 in 2013. On December 16, 2013, things changed for Reed. On that day, the Los Osos High School product was traded to the Diamondbacks for 3B Matt Davidson, who spent the past two seasons with the Knights (2014–15).
With the D’Backs, Reed went just 1–7 with a 4.25 ERA in 2014 (59.1 IP), his first of two seasons with the organization. Still, the talented righty saved 32 games for Arizona in his first season and struck-out 69 batters over that span. In 2015, he was back in Arizona’s bullpen and went 2–2 with a 4.20 ERA with three saves in 38 games (40.2 IP). He also spent time in Triple-A Reno, where he went 1–1 with a 1.74 ERA in 11 games. With the 2015 season winding down and the Mets looking for bullpen help, the two teams worked out a trade to bring Reed to the Big Apple. Once he got there, he shined.
Reed played a key role in New York’s bullpen in September. He compiled a 1.17 ERA in 17 games and was a big part of the team’s success down the stretch. As a late-inning reliever, Reed was exactly what the Mets were looking for to help bridge the gap to closer Jeurys Familia.
Now, the 26-year-old reliever will look to continue his impact into the 2015 MLB Postseason. Reed is sure to see some action throughout the series against the Dodgers. Stay tuned…
