Cody Reed (SP, CIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

Baller Move: Add in 14+ team leagues

Owned in: 21% of Fleaflicker leagues

Analysis: After his first two outings for the Cincinnati Reds, Cody Reed has produced 12.0 IP, a 6.75 ERA, a 1.67 WHIP, and 2.3 HR/9. At first glance, Reed looks like someone you should avoid like the plague until he finds his MLB stride. However, he is also producing 3.8 BB/9 and a very impressive 11.3 K/9. His first two starts have been in HR-friendly ballparks like Minute Maid Park and Great American Ball Park. In his blowup outing in Cincinnati of 5 IP and five earned runs came off of a 10:7 ground ball to fly ball rate and one home run. That home run was hit by Wil Myers who has 17 HR this season and a .912 OPS against LHP like Reed in 2016.

So at second glance, Reed's first two starts weren't as bad as they looked. He is striking out a lot of batters, isn't losing heavy command of the strike zone, and was the victim of some tough situations in his first two outings. Give the top level prospect a chance to pick on some weaker batters in some more hitter-friendly parks.