With the Phillies getting a good amount of interest from the Houston Astros for closer Ken Giles, the Phillies have the opportunity to get some much-needed pieces from a prospect-rich team. While the Phillies do have a number of decent offensive prospects, such as shortstop J.P. Crawford, outfielders Roman Quinn, and Nick Williams and catchers Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro, there is one glaring hole: a left-handed power bat. There is a chance the Phillies can acquire that as part of an Astros trade.
The Phillies had a good opportunity to see Astros first baseman A.J. Reed this fall as part of the Arizona Fall League. The Phillies and Astros both helped make up the roster of the Glendale Desert Dogs. Reed played with the team until November 5, when the Astros shut him down. This was not before Reed made himself known:
Congrats to Glendale's A.J. Reed (@astros) on winning the AL portion of the @BowmanCards Hitting Challenge! #AFL15 pic.twitter.com/9hwOUDOY85
— Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) October 18, 2015
Reed was named a "Fall Star" but was replaced by the Phillies' Knapp.
After a minor league season in which Reed batted .340 with 34 home runs and 127 RBI, compiling a OPS of 1.127, Reed was named Minor League Baseball's offensive player of the year. With such numbers and having such a good season, would the Astros consider moving Reed?
The Astros made a large financial commitment to Jonathan Singleton, acquired from the Phillies back in 2010 as part of the trade that sent Roy Oswalt to the Phillies. Singleton was given $10 million for his first five years, prior to Singleton's call-up. Singleton has yet to make a difference at the Major League level, batting just .171 in 177 big league at bats. There is probably not room for both of them on the Astros roster, left-handed hitters. If the Astros believe in Singleton still, they may be willing to part with Reed.
Reed is rated the Astros' fifth best prospect on MLB.com. Some reports had the Phillies scouting Reed this past July towards the trade deadline, but the two teams did not make a deal.
Ryan Howard has one more left on his deal and can keep first base occupied while Reed advances through the minor leagues. Should Reed's minor league power translate to the big leagues, the Phillies would have a left-handed power bat to hit behind right-handed Maikel Franco. With the other young bats advancing in the system, the Phillies could have the makings of a nice lineup.
Reed is by no means a sure bet. He was called a "borderline prospect" in 2014 and worked his way into the Astros' top 10. Some are concerned with his weight; Reed is reportedly 240 pounds. When the Astros shut Reed down this fall, his figure may have had something to do with it.
The Phillies might be able to even get a second piece too, on the pitching side. Or, perhaps the Astros will try to get the Phillies to take Singleton back instead. But, this is the type of piece the Phillies may look to acquire in exchange for Ken Giles.
