2016 Texas Rangers draft preview: Buddy Reed

2016 Texas Rangers draft preview:  With the MLB draft being tonight, I've been highlighting a few of the players who I anticipate will be on the Rangers' radar at #30.  These aren't scouting reports or anything, but just capsule write-ups so you have some familiarity with guys who would appear to be in the mix for the Rangers to take with their first round pick.

The final player we are looking at in advance of tonight's draft is Florida outfielder Buddy Reed.  Other than being a college player, Reed has all the attributes you expect from an outfielder the Rangers would be looking at in the first round -- toolsy, raw, projectable, fast, big arm, quality bat speed, questions about his hit tool.  He was even a three sport star in high school, although his two non-baseball sports were hockey and soccer, which is a little different.  Reed is listed at 6'4", 210 lbs., and is a switch hitter.  He's considered someone who can stay in center field, with his plus speed and arm strength leading Baseball America to describe him as one of the best defensive outfielders in the draft.

Baseball America has him ranked at #33 overall, praising the tools but expressing concern that the amount of work that needs to be done with his swing makes him more of a project who will require patience than most college hitters.  Their most recent mock has Reed going to Baltimore at #27.  Law, conversely, has Reed at #66 on his board, and has him falling out of the first round.  Callis has Reed falling out of the first round as well, while Mayo has Reed going to St. Louis at #34, the final comp pick of the supplemental first round.  MLB Pipeline has Reed at #30, citing his athleticism while expressing concerns about the work needed to be done to improve his bat.

Video of Reed: