Carlson Reed

School: West Virginia Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 20.6
BA Grade:40/High
Tools:Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 35.

Reed is a lean, tall and high-waisted righthander who stands 6-foot-4, 195-pounds and attacks hitters with a three-pitch mix. After splitting time as a starter and reliever in his first two seasons with West Virginia, he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in 2023, and posted a 2.61 ERA over 38 innings with a 34.7% strikeout rate and 14.5% walk rate. He’s a definite reliever in pro ball thanks to below-average control, but he has a big fastball and the stuff to miss bats in shorter bursts. He averaged 94-95 mph on his fastball and has been up to 98 with the pitch, and it potentially plays up thanks to Reed’s length and extension down the mound. He generated a 25% miss rate with the fastball despite just modest life, and he also found success with a low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup—which were high-usage pitches for him even in a reliever role. Reed has the physical projection to pack on even more weight and throw harder in the future, with triple-digit velocity a likelihood, though his lengthy arm action might always hinder his control and command. He fits as a day two power reliever.