Astros 2nd round pick A.J. Reed wins Golden Spikes Award
Prestigious award presented annually to the top amateur baseball player in the US
A.J. Reed, who the Astros selected in the second round of this year's Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, was presented with the Golden Spikes Award today live on ESPN's flagship program, SportsCenter.
The award, in its 37th year of being presented by USA Baseball, was voted on by a committee of more than 200 voters. The award is presented annually to the top amateur player in the United States.
Other finalists included Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto (No. 10 overall, Mets) and LSU right-hander Aaron Nola (No. 7, Phillies).
In 28 games with the Astros Class A Short Season affiliate, the Tri-City ValleyCats, Reed has hit .311 with nine doubles, three homers, 22 RBI and a .900 OPS (.415 OBP/.485 SLG). Earlier this year he received the Dick Howser Award and was also named Collegiate Baseball's National Player of the Year, Baseball America College Player of the Year, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Year and Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. He was named a first-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, the NCBWA and Baseball America.
At the University of Kentucky this season, Reed led NCAA Division I in home runs (23), slugging percentage (.735) and OPS (1.211), while ranking second in total bases (164) and third in RBI (73) while batting .336. As the Wildcats Friday night starting pitcher, he was 12-2 with a 2.09 ERA. Reed (6-4, 240) was drafted as a first baseman by Houston.
Recent winners of the trophy include Cubs prospect Kris Bryant ('13), Mariners catcher Mike Zunino ('12), Indians starter Trevor Bauer ('11), Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper ('10), Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg ('09), Giants catcher Buster Posey ('08) and Rays left-hander David Price ('07).