Houston Astros draft pick A.J. Reed talks to Wildcat Blue Nation

Kentucky Wildcats two-way star A.J. Reed, a second round draft pick of the Houston Astros and College Baseball Player of the Year, spoke with Wildcat Blue Nation on Friday.

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Daniel Solzman: A.J., thanks for joining Wildcat Blue Nation today. How are things treating you as you settle in with the Tri-City Valleycats?

A.J. Reed: They’re good. I’m just getting used to playing every single day and playing first base every day and then try to make the transition from aluminum bats to metal bats. Everything’s going well and I’m excited to be playing every day.

Daniel Solzman: How did you feel to hit your first professional hit?

A.J. Reed: It was a great feeling. To be able to say I’ve got a hit is special as a baseball player. I was excited and just ready for more to come.

Daniel Solzman: When did you find out that the Houston Astros were interested?

A.J. Reed: I talked to a lot of teams going up to the draft. When Boston and Cleveland all passed, I figured an American League team was problem going to take me. I figured that was a pretty good option for me.

Daniel Solzman: There was chatter that you could have snuck into the first round with the amazing season you had. How did you react when you found out you were drafted in the second round?

A.J. Reed: We thought I might go in the late first in the supplemental round and then I fell to the second. For me, I was just really excited to be drafted and that high to a great organization like Houston. It was a really exciting time for us.

Daniel Solzman: What excites you about the recent success of the Astros minor league teams and individual players of late?

A.J. Reed: They got a lot of really good players coming up right now and they’re doing a really good job with player development and getting their guys ready for the big leagues. They are trying to move some guys up fast. I just got to go out there and play well and everything will take care of itself.

Daniel Solzman: Is there anyone that you are excited to learn from, whether it be now or during spring training?

A.J. Reed: Well, I went down to Houston and I got talk to some of the guys. Being able to talk to
Dexter Fowler and George Springer was really cool. I’m looking forward to being able to talk to those guys again and maybe learn some things that they do at the plate like coaching so that will be exciting.

Daniel Solzman: In what ways has Coach Gary Henderson prepared you for the next level?

A.J. Reed: I think the biggest thing was just maturity level. He really helped me grow up as a player and person. Being able to take failure on the field in a good way and just learn from it.

Daniel Solzman: How honored were you to have been named as the College Baseball Player of the Year?

A.J. Reed: That’s a tremendous honor to be considered the best player in college baseball this year is something that I worked for. That wasn’t the goal this year but it was kind of a step for the year that we wanted to have. To be considered that player is a great honor and we’re really excited about it. It gives the school a lot of publicity and a good thing for them. Hopefully it helps them out in the future.

Daniel Solzman: Who was your favorite player growing up?

A.J. Reed: Oh…well, growing up when I was a little kid, I was a Cubs fan so I would say Sammy Sosa. Now, I don’t really have a favorite player, I just kind of watch the game.

Daniel Solzman: Would you like to one day, maybe, pitch a game especially if it’s a blowout and they are running out of arms in the bullpen?

A.J. Reed: If I had to, I definitely would. It’s not something that I really particularly need to do.

Daniel Solzman: Thanks again for joining us.

A.J. Reed: No problem.

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