Ryan Reid

RYAN REID
RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
  Born: April 24, 1985
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 7th round, 199th overall, 2006 (Devil Rays)
How Acquired: Minor league free agent
College: James Madison University
Agent: Orpheus Sports

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

The Devil Rays drafted Reid as a draft-eligible sophomore.  He threw an 88-92 mph fastball, along with a changeup and slider.  He had very good K rates in the low minors, but not so much since he reached AA.  The Pirates signed him as a minor league free agent in November 2012.  By 2013 his fastball was sitting at about 92 as a reliever and his slider was serving as his second pitch.  He was throwing only occasional changeups.

2006
A-:  1-9-0, 6.24 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 53.1 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 7.3 K/9

Reid struggled as a starter in his short season debut.

2007
A:  6-5-10, 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 72.2 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 11.5 K/9

The Rays moved Reid to the bullpen in low A and he was much more effective.

2008
A+:  3-0-8, 0.29 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, 31.0 IP, 0.9 BB/9, 13.1 K/9
AA:  5-4-4, 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 46.1 IP, 6.0 BB/9, 10.3 K/9

Reid was nearly unhittable in high A, but wasn’t as effective after a mid-season promotion.  The main issue was his control, which went from outstanding to very bad.

2009
AA:  0-1-1, 4.17 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 58.1 IP, 4.3 BB/9, 7.7 K/9

In a full season in AA, Reid improved his control some, but also saw his K rate drop.

2010
AA:  3-3-2, 3.98 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 72.1 IP, 4.9 BB/9, 7.6 K/9

Reid went back to AA for another season and pitched about the same as in 2009.

2011
AA:  2-0-1, 6.75 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 16.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 6.8 K/9
AAA:  1-1-0, 4.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 55.1 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 8.3 K/9

Reid spent most of the season in AAA, including five starts.  He pitched better than the previous year, including solid walk and K rates.

2012
AAA:  6-3-1, 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 79.1 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

Reid had his first solid season in the upper minors, increasing his K rate to one per inning.  He had some trouble with gopher balls, allowing eight.

2013
AAA:  7-2-2, 2.73 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 59.1 IP, 3.3 BB/9, 8.5 K/9
MLB:  0-0-1, 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 5.7 K/9

Reid opened the season in the Indianapolis bullpen and had an outstanding first half.  When the Pirates had burned up their bullpen at the beginning of June, they called Reid up.  He spent a month in the majors and pitched very well, even picking up a save, albeit of the three-inning variety.  When the Pirates sent him back to AAA, he suddenly became a different pitcher.  His first and second half numbers form a stark contrast:

Half
ERA
IP
BB
K
OAVG
1st 0.89 40.1 12 35 .169
2nd 6.63 19.0 10 21 .321

Reid’s second half struggles probably cost him a September callup.  On the AAA season as a whole he was an extreme groundball pitcher, with a ground out to air out ratio of 3.33.  He held left-handed hitters to a lower average, but they hit with much more power than right-handed hitters.  His line against the former was 213/312/389, against the latter 232/287/285.

The fact that the Pirates didn’t call Reid up in September, especially after he pitched so well during his callup, might indicate that his roster spot will be in jeopardy after the season.  On the other hand, he has two options left, which gives them a good deal of flexibility.  You have to wonder whether he was healthy, or just worn out, during the second half.  If he’s still with the team in 2014, he’s a good bet to open at Indianapolis.

UPDATE:  The Pirates designated Reid for assignment to clear roster space after they signed Edinson Volquez and Clint Barmes.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Majors
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MLB.com
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2014: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $145,000
MiLB Debut: 2006
MLB Debut: 6/3/2013
MiLB FA Eligible: 2013
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: 6/2/2013
Options Remaining: 2 (USED:  2013)
MLB Service Time: 0.037
TRANSACTIONS
June 7, 2006: Drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 7th round, 199th overall pick; signed on June 13.
November 6, 2006: Became a free agent.
November 9, 2012:  Signed as a minor league free with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
June 2, 2013: Contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
December 13, 2013: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.