The White Sox will bring just-acquired first baseman A.J. Reed right onto their active roster, the young slugger tells Rick Semmler of Indiana’s WTHI (via Twitter). Reed had initially been assigned to Triple-A Charlotte but says he was informed he’ll meet the big league club in Oakland.
It’s not yet clear what the corresponding move will be for the Chicago organization, which snagged Reed from the Astros in a recent waiver claim. The White Sox were in need of another lefty bat after parting ways with Yonder Alonso, who struggled in brief action. Perhaps it’s unsurprising, then, that they’ll hand over an immediate opportunity to Reed.
The former second-round draft pick would obviously not have been freely available had he performed to expectations, but the White Sox can afford to have greater patience and perhaps offer a new perspective in attempting to draw out the long-evident talent. Now 26 years of age, Reed struggled in his only extended MLB action back in 2016.
While he has mostly performed well at Triple-A, Reed hasn’t forced his way onto a deep Houston roster and has clearly lost much of his prospect luster. This year has been a particular struggle, as he carries only a .224/.329/.469 slash line with a dozen long ball in 225 plate appearances at the highest level of the minors. In this booming offensive environment, that’s actually about ten percent below league-average productivity. Though he’s still walking at an even 12 percent clip, Reed has also gone down on strikes in nearly three of every ten trips to the dish.
Your link says he was a second round pick
Haven’t heard about Aj Reed since the game MLB Manager 2018 game
What ever happened to that game. Is there a 2019 edition?
Supposed to be released in August or September last I heard. They kinda ranked down development on the mobile game after the success of FHM 4/5
Palka was sent down Sunday so there’s an open spot on the 25 man. Not sure about the 40.
McCann-itis by the Sox?
AJ Reed replaces Daniel Palka on the 25-man active roster. The White Sox transferred right-handed reliever Ryan Burr from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL creating a spot for Reed on the 40-man reserve roster.
Note: Previously injured catcher C Wellington Castillo was sent to AA Birmingham on a rehab assignment last Sunday, July 8th, the same day that Palka was optioned to AAA Charlotte and Reed was claimed off of waivers from the Astros. Castillo should be activated shortly which will require another roster move, most likely having C/1B/DH Zack Collins return to AAA where he can play more regularly. The possibility also exists that the White Sox can keep Collins as James McCann’s backup catcher and just DFA Castillo although that possibility might be more likely following the July 31st trade deadline if the latter can’t be dealt.
Really nothing to suggest he will succeed. He hasn’t been productive in a while at the AAA level, let along standing out
He has a long history of success though. Sometimes a change of scenery/promotion does wonders for production. Might have gotten disheartened in his 4th year at AAA
And by “a while” I assume you mean during this season, because he was quite productive down there last year
Lancaster is a well known launching pad. Tyler White crushed last year in AAA, so did Colin Moran the year before and JD Davis last year… all three outperformed him. Hell, throw in Derek Fisher too. Reed was passed over each time. Pretty clear to the Astros that reed wasn’t going to figure it out. It didn’t help his Spring Trainings were terrible and that he never lost the weight he needed too… so by “a while”, I’m including last year’s performance where at least 4 guys did better than him on the AAA team and I’m probably forgetting someone too.
Costs White Sox games they need to lose.
Not saying they are equals but sometimes you just never know. Look at JD Martinez’s time with the Astros. Perhaps Reed makes adjustments or uses this as the kick in the pants to get his career going.
This maybe a stretch but remember when the Twins released David Ortiz the rest is history.
Just because other people outperformed him, doesn’t mean he had a bad 2018.
JD Martinez has over 1,000 ABs with the Astros. Not the same…. listen, the guy was DFA’d, do you think the Astros tried to shop him around before releasing him? Maybe getting the minimum International bonus money ($250k I think?). No takers, passed over by five bottom dwelling teams for no risk and got to the White Sox. And y’all are seriously bringing up career turnarounds? The likelihood of that happening are slim. Hope he figures it out, really do, but I think his bat is far too slow and the Astros have a glaring hole at 1b and they sent him packing anyway.
Same reason teams passed up Mike Trout. There is zero risk to this. At best he becomes a nice player, at worst he hits exactly what Palka, Alonso and Collins are now in the same role.
The Sox will activate Castillo send down Ruiz and Collins
No need to move a pitcher now since 1B/DH AJ Reed simply replaces OF/1B/DH Daniel Palka while C Wellington Castillo would replace C Zack Collins. The White Sox have 13 pitchers on their active roster and will roll with that number to begin their 10 day road trip following the All-Star break on Friday. The White Sox actually have 17 consecutive games scheduled starting this Friday and don’t have an off day until Monday, July 29th. They’re likely to make some moves with the pitching staff but the total number of arms should stay at 13 in the foreseeable future.
Minor league scouts say his lack of bat speed is the reason he’s not handling upper level pitching anymore. Doesn’t bode well for his MLB future.
Covey and Castillo currently on rehab assignments. Two more moves coming soon. Castillo for Collins, Covey probably bumps Ruiz from the roster and as stated by others Reed takes the roster spot of Daniel Palka.
Personally I hope Castillo is dealt. The Angels need a catcher after the injury to Lucroy..
I think Covey bumps Detwiler back to AAA. They will need Detwiler to stay streched out as a starter in case the need arises again in the rotation.
Why is there still an appetite for Dylan Covey?
Agreed. If you have no games left against the Red Sox, you don’t need Dylan Covey anymore
Because they have openings in the rotation and he has shown flashes of being at least serviceable many times, including his last 2 starts against WAS and CLE… And he has far more potential than the rest of the crap they’ve thrown out in the #5 spot.
Dylan Covey has arguably been the second most effective starter this season behind Giolito. While that isn’t saying much, the team is so thin in the rotation, he absolutely will return to it when he is healthy. Detwiler has been good enough, so I don’t see him leaving rotation either. The person out is likely Banuelos, or if he continues to struggle, Lopez.
Covey out of the bullpen is a nightmare. Covey starting is palatable, especially give the struggles of this rotation. Detwiler has been the only pitcher to stay under a 5 era in multiple starts other than Gio. By default that makes him stay.
Oh, man… I hope not. Detwiler has honestly been a breath of fresh air. Since Carlos Rodon went down, we haven’t had a decent starter aside from Giolito. I’ve seen enough of Covey to know he isn’t about to change that.
Agree on Castillo. Won’t get much but a little salary relief & maybe a lotto ticket.
Reed was placed on the 40 man right away with Burr moving to the 60 day IL and Palka was optioned to AAA so no further moves would need to be made.
Yeah but it’s about time for people to come off the IL. Rather it’s castillo or Anderson.
Another garbage pick move from Reinsdorf and Co. Reed’s numbers are abysmal, yet he is given a roster spot by this organization. What a joke…
Yeah, and the cost!
Oh, wait…
Such a joke! He will cost nothing and take at bats away from absolutely no on. The FO did the same thing with James McCann this offseason. Why would this make you mad? They aren’t competing this year, so who cares if they buy a lottery ticket? It’s almost as if you get off on being stupid.
Waste Management Corp. netted US$1.949 billion on revenues of US$14.485 billion in 2017. So ‘garbage picking’ has it’s upside.
Why not promote Gavin Sheets?
He probably will be in AAA at some point this year, but I doubt the would rush a guy and eat into his service time in a lost year.
Sheets is not nearly far enough into his development and certainly isn’t ready to face Major League pitching. If anyone deserved a crack at the DH, I would say Matt Skole is the best candidate, but he did struggle in his brief promotion last year so maybe they don’t see anything there.
Actually he was great in his brief promotion last year. But he’s already 30 and has no future with the club, so he’d just be a waste of time unless they plan on making some moves for pitching to take a legit run at the 2nd wild card spot (which would be a mistake).
Huh?
He’s performing as poorly as Casey Gillespie did last season, and has had less success in MLB than Matt Skole, who is raking this season.
Maybe if the team had a track record of turning around position players, I would understand this. But they don’t.
Why not call up Skole, and see how Reed does first with the beach ball in Charlotte.
Or better yet, just call up Robert or Madrigal, both of whom are ready for a shot.
Because Matt Skole is nothing more than a 30 year old organizational filler, and this move isn’t about winning this year.
This move isn’t about winning at all. Nothing in Reed’s recent background suggests he is anything more than a AAAA player.
If this is about the future, give the at bats to someone who has a chance of actually mattering, like Robert, Madrigal, or to a lesser degree, Mercedes or Mendick.
This is about the sixth one-tool, poor fielding lefty they have signed or traded for in the past two+ years. While I understand you always need depth in AAA, they could do a lot more with trying to find guys who can possibly stick on the 25-man roster.
Maybe you should try looking deeper than 50 games. His last 3 years in AAA he has put up wRC+’s of 142, 124, and 117. He clearly has been trending in the wrong direction (if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be available), but he’s got a decent pedigree and some past success, so there’s no point in not taking a free chance. The only player losing at-bats is Palka. Give up on the fantasy of Robert or Madrigal making an appearance before late August or early September at the earliest. They lose literally nothing with this move, and maybe (BIG maybe) a change of scenery helps get him back on track.
AJ Reed has a solid minor league track record, legit power, and prospect pedigree. Why not take a lottery ticket on a guy with the talent but without the success?
Robert nor Madrigal is ready. Both still have hole sin their games they need to improve on first. They aren’t far, but they aren’t ready either, so why rush a guy and eat into his service time in a lost season?
People need to stop worrying about what going to happen in five years and focusing on contending next season.
Robert and Mardrigal don’t have glaring holes, at least any that are going to be helped by hitting a beach ball in Charlotte. Robert is always going to strike out . Madrigal is never going to have power. Both have dominated, however, in Birmingham, and both play positions of need.
Call them up, let them work on their game in front of real competition, and get ready for next year. Maybe they surprise, and that helps attract wary free agents.
Look at what the Braves and even Padres have accomplished by just calling up guys when they have little to prove in the minors. It’s time to stop rebuilding. Get these kids ready for 2020 and 2021. A.J. Reed isn’t helping anyone win games.
Madrigal is a singles hitter, and they are working on developing his gap power.
Robert is still Raw AF, but he is so talented he is crushing the mistake prone minors into oblivion.
Robert is much closer to coming up, and if he keeps mashing, hell be up soon
Eh, as much as I love to see Robert and Madrigal producing, I don’t think they’re ready. Madrigal was struggling earlier in the year and Robert to move up four times in one season is a bit much. Plus, why burn the service tme already? They’ll both be up soon enough. No need to get impatient. Maybe we uncover a diamond in the rough… who knows?
Is the service time still an issue with international prospects? Robert already signed for $26 million, so im not sure how his works. I agree with the idea though
He is a flop just a waste of time by White Sox
McCann was a flop 6 months ago. Every team takes these shots. Low risk, low expectations. A second round pick has some pedigree so what’s to lose at this point.
should at least hit better then 1-22
Glad to see AJ Reed get relocated.
He really never had a prolonged chance in the Astros organization to prove he belonged.
Even Kyle Tucker couldn’t claim a full time roster spot with the depth of the the utility players. Alex Bregman was 0 for 33 before he got his first big league hit.
Go AJ earn that spot.
“Perhaps it’s unsurprising, then, that they’ll hand over an immediate opportunity to Reed.” This sentence is so wishy-washy with “perhaps”, doesn’t really belong in the post. Also “then” in the middle of the sentence totally interrupts the flow and is entirely unnecessary.
This isn’t a blockbuster move but it’s possible that A.J. Reed can benefit batting in this White Sox’s lineup right now. Moncada is getting hits to draw walk. While that is leading to both Abreu and Jiminez getting pitches to hit where they are hitting home runs.
Dumpster diving…. oh wait, the whole roster is a bunch of has beens or never will bes. So this is right on par for Rick, Kenny and JR. Never mind, carry on.
How angry are you that the cubbies “dynasty” is over and everything is Sox now??
Hahaha, it would be great if ANYONE outside of the ghetto south side gave a damn about the White Sox. Nationally, “The Sox” obviously refers to the Red Sox” only in SOME parts of Chicago are the White Sox considered the Sox. So, I can’t call them “The Sox”, I’m sure you understand. It would be funny how thirsty and desperate WHITE Sox fans are for attention and respect if it weren’t so damn pathetic.
There’s a reason Machado chose the Padres, not the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers…. but the F’n Padres over the Northwest Indiana White Sux. For the same reason a legit MLB FA in his prime hasn’t signed on dirty south side since Albert or was it Joey Belle and that was 25 years ago and dude was literally crazy. Hahahaha… desperately hoping for your “rebuild” to work. But keep in mind, this is the same clueless, inept front office that was so bad at SELF scouting claimed to be “ALL IN” just a few years back, trading Shields for Tatis Jr (hahaha) the LaRoche drama, Sale cutting up jerseys in disgust that he was trapped on the south side… all that and they literally ended up with a worse record than teams ACTIVELY TANKING! Hahahaha… I know they desperately want to do what the Cubs did, but MANY have tried what the Cubs/Astros ACCOMPLISHED but VERY FEW actually succeed. Meanwhile, Theo has done exactly what he did in Boston, exactly what he said he’d do in Chicago. Build a sustainable contender. The Cubs have won more games than ANY team in baseball over the last 4 1/2 years, including a ring already in the bank, 3 straight NLCS and 4 straight playoff appearances (and counting) and his young, proven CHAMPIONSHIP core is just now entering their prime baseball years.
Hahaha, the facts don’t lie. It’s no coincidence that the thirsty White Sux FINALLY started their overdue rebuild after 2016. Of course they hired the Cubs sloppy seconds manager that they recently fired, Renteria. Rick and Kenny keep drafting busts, can’t get a legit FA to sign there…. but sure. No reason to worry. These unproven clowns will all of a sudden get lucky and build a consistent contender. Hahaha, just wait til next year… or the year after that. I’m sure they’re two years away from being two years away.
It’s comical, sad…. but still funny that the most irrelevant joke in pro sports has trolls, but that doesn’t stop you clowns from hitting up the Cubs board every chance you get. You have to know how transparent your obsession is, right? Even you can’t be that simple. Anyway, I figured I’d reciprocate and give ya a few minutes of attention. Sadly, that’s a few more minutes than you’re worth. So, I’m gonna run along.
Best luck on your “rebuild”. Hopefully someday the city, national and local media, ESPN, MLB network, etc… finally give you the respect and attention you think you deserve. Sadly you have a better chance of your inept front office hacks pulling off a successful rebuild, and those chances are quite slim.
I was going to comment, but I think I’ll leave this psychotic rant alone.
I only got halfway through the first paragraph and slowly backed away from it LOL.
only thing more psychotic is the comment he’s responding to
As I was reading this I was imagining Bryzzo as a burnt out homeless man yelling at a fire hydrant.
@DarkSide830
Yeah, I can see how that comment could get the blood boiling. LOL
Wow, so much ANGER from brizzo. I’d be upset too if my team and “dynasty” was sinking faster than the titanic. 10 minute rant because he doesn’t “care” about the Sox. These cubbie snowflakes make me chuckle. -#163
Bryzzo is probably one of those embarrassments to the city from years back, clammoring publicly for the execution of Steve Bartman.
haha glad Philly doesnt have two teams
Haha, neither does Chicago. Anyway, I’m actually pulling for Philly. I like a lot of their players and I think a playoff rematch between besties Bryant and Harper would be fun.
Besties. Lol so cute! #163
Oh no, you’re going to make Rizzo jealous.
The A’s are having trouble finding a new home in northern California. Perhaps the city of Philadelphia would welcome them back. The Phillies? Not so much!
Boy, someone just can’t stay away.
Thanks for Eloy and Cease. Go be salty on a Cubs thread.
Jimenez, Moncada, they’ll have Madrigal and Roberts, Abreu isn’t what he was but he is hardly washed up.
Abreu is on pace to have his best season.
Ricketts – Hi, you know, we made a little boo-boo. Any way we can work out getting Torres back?
Steinbrenner – Hmmm. Lemme transfer you over to our new intern. (Click)
“Bryzzo2016”
The username says it all…
This is really a good move for this. Very low risk, young enough player that once upon a time was expected to be a really good baseball player. I don’t think he’s gonna be great, but I’d let him work through the struggles this year and see if the lowered pressures of being a white Sox ends up turning him into a decent ball player. Great move for the Sox in my opinion
Haha you’re cute. Is this hawk harrellson?
Why would be a White Sox be lowered pressure?
Hilarious.
This is exactly what Chicago should be doing. They have nothing to lose.
What an exciting sequence of events for AJ Reed!
When you’ve been watching Yonder Alonso ground into double plays for half of a season, you’ll literally be happy to see *anyone* taking those at-bats.
So many armchair GM’s that would never take a risk on a guy. If GM’s waited for the stat lines to reflect the talent, there would never be bargains.
truth
To bad the O’s have Davis wasting a roster spot. Could have been a fit
These are the types of no risk/some reward signings I like to see in a year we aren’t supposed to make the playoffs. I know he’s struggled the past few seasons but I remember there were people who were excited about him not too long ago. You never know… he could be Luke Voit-lite or (more likely) he could be back on waivers in a week or so.
But he can’t be much worse than Yonder Alonso and we really don’t have *anyone* in our system that fits the DH role, nor do we have anyone that really projects to be a DH (maybe Gavin Sheets or Jake Burger but they are way off).
Catcher Yermin Mercedes seems more like a DH then catcher right now.
Abreu, Jimenez, Collins, Berger, sheets, vaughn, etc. I think we’re set at 1B/DH
Ha-ha, although only Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn are locks to be a part of the White Sox core going forward.
Hopefully Jose Abreu will get his wish with a contract extension and remain with the club. He can keep 1B warm for Vaughn and then transition to more DH duty come 2021 when the former is ready for prime time.
Jimenez just needs to be an average defender in LF to have great value. His speed and arm is sufficient enough for the position and he will also be going through increased training this offseason to help make that happen. No one questions his work ethic and he ought to become a league average defender with more reps in LF. I don’t see 1B/DH in Jimenez’ future yet, not as a 22-year old with enormous talent and decent enough athleticism.
Zack Collins best bet for a spot in the White Sox future plans would be to improve his defense enough at the catching position. I don’t ever see him as an everyday starter behind the plate but maybe he will improve enough to survive as a backup catcher and a lefty platoon option at DH. He could also spell Vaughn at 1B if Abreu doesn’t return. The more likely outcome has Collins just becoming trade fodder sooner rather than later.
The same might be said about Jake Burger and Gavin Sheets, although I do like their hitting potential better than that of Collins. I think Burger has the most offensive upside if he could only get healthy. Burger might also provide some depth at 3B in addition to 1B/DH. Sheets is finally starting to show some power at AA to match his fine glove at 1B.
I understand that nobody wants to admit a 22 year old is destined for DH, but anyone who watches Jimenez in the outfield can see that’s where he belongs. I realize that the Sox will give it time, but he has no instincts out there.
Keep in mind too, that maybe one of these prospects (along with 1 or 2 OF prospects, maybe a P prospect) could end up being a part of a trade for one of the finishing pieces over the next year or two. Eloy and Vaughn are staying put, as Abreu, if he gets extended, is also staying put.
Obviously Collins hasn’t helped his trade value since reaching Chicago and Burger isn’t a viable trade chip being out 2 years straight, but you never know what’s going to happen next year or two with both guys. At the earliest, they won’t trade for a finishing piece until Winter, so it’s not a huge deal right now for these players’ trade value to be lower than you’d hope at this point.
Not to mention some of these guys might never pan out. It’s possible Collins ends up a bust. And Burger’s career could easily be derailed by injuries. Who knows with Sheets. And let’s hope this doesn’t happen, but even Vaughn could theoretically bust. As everyone knows, ultimately a prospect is just a prospect until he proves otherwise. I’m extremely confident Vaughn won’t bust, but I’m just an average Joe who has absolutely no bearing on any outcome in the sport.
Anyway, the point of my rambling is some of the Sox prospects are simply future trade chips (at least that’s the hope).
Dunn, LaRoche, Alonso…the Sox can’t help themselves.
Wow, I did not realize how serious Hahn was about getting Reed. I definitely wasn’t expecting this. I’m not expecting a lot out of him, but he can’t be any worse than Alonso. And if he is worse than Alonso, he definitely won’t be worse than Palka. And if by some misfortune he is worse than Palka, then cut him the second this is discovered.
Quite honestly, I’m not sure how to even respond to this. I’m just making sure I didn’t fall asleep at my computer and I’m just dreaming this. LOL
On a serious note, Hahn really sees something with this guy. But hey, why not? I have a feeling this upcoming 10-game road trip is going to bury any hope the Sox have at the WC anyway (and yes, I hope I’m wrong).
I rather have a 26 year old Yonder Alonso than to actually have Yonder himself.
“I have a feeling this upcoming 10-game road trip is going to bury any hope the Sox have at the WC anyway”
Wasn’t the same thing said about their 22 game stretch before the All Star break that included 2 against WAS, 4 against NYY, 4 against CHC, 3 against TEX, 3 against BOS, and 3 against MIN?
@Priggs89
Good point.
And for the record, I did say I hope I’m wrong. LOL
*sobbing uncontrollably*
Don’t understand the need to look for additional DH minor leaguers. This team needs major league caliber starting pitching. If your gonna take a flyer on somebody make it a starting pitcher.
You mean exactly what they’ve been doing with players like Santana, Banuelos, Deitwiler, and Despaigne?
When you find a major league caliber starting pitcher that costs the same amount as AJ Reed, give Hahn a call. This is a free move. There is literally no reason not to take a chance on him.
There are a lot of people in this thread that haven’t seen who is taking at-bats for us in the DH spot. The White Sox have been using two guys (Daniel Palka & Zack Collins) who have hit under .050 for the past few weeks.
.050 (!!!) … that is not a typo
No doubt those 2 have been bad. To be fair though, you can’t get on a roll playing 1 or 2 games per week. They should’ve dumped Alonso the day machado signed in San Diego(never should’ve signed him, actually)
The White Sox not wasting time with AJ Reed. Nothing to lose either since Reed couldn’t do much worse than what Yonder Alonso, Daniel Palka and Zack Collins have given the White Sox from the left side of the plate in 2019.
Alonso is gone, Palka can go back to AAA and continue to hit HR’s in that bandbox in downtown Charlotte. Meanwhile, Collins can get regular playing time at C/1B/DH, something he couldn’t do with White Sox All-Star C James McCann and 1B Jose Abreu entrenched in the everyday lineup, along with C Wellington Castillo returning from his rehab assignment shortly.
This isn’t just a matter of Reed taking Collins PA’s at 1B/DH. It’s also about Collins needing to catch regularly in order to improve his defense which is not up to MLB standards. This wasn’t going to happen on the South Side in 2019.
McCann will be back in 2020 with one more year of arbitration eligibility while Castillo will probably get his 2020 $8M team option bought out for $500k. If Collins can show a better glove and regain his batting stroke at AAA he should get first crack as McCann’s backup in 2020. If Reed continues to struggle in his White Sox trial run then Collins might gain additional PA’s next year at 1B and DH depending on Abreu’s status as a potential free agent.
Look I just wanted to say that all this negative stuff stuff about AJ Reed needs to go. He has already have more hits and walks and equal his strikeout total for the last 2 years in Houston in his 1st series with the Sox. This maybe alright.
This is sarcasm right, because that wasn’t much of an accomplishment. He only played in three games the last two seasons, and needed all of one hit and one walk to best his output in that small sample.