Ex-Cats

Astros’ AJ Reed to start season at Triple-A Fresno

By Dennis Varney

dvarney@herald-leader.com
The Houston Astros’ AJ Reed hit an in-the-park home run off New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey during the second inning of an spring training game on Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The Houston Astros’ AJ Reed hit an in-the-park home run off New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey during the second inning of an spring training game on Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Brynn Anderson Associated Press

The Houston Astros optioned former University of Kentucky star AJ Reed to the minor leagues on Monday.

Reed, a first baseman who is the team’s No. 2 prospect, No. 40 overall and No. 1 at his position according to MLB.com, will start the season at Triple-A Fresno.

Reed batted .311 with three home runs and nine RBI and nine runs scored in 45 at-bats during spring training.

Reed hasn’t played above the Double-A level since being drafted out of UK in 2014. Last year, he led all of minor league baseball in home runs (34) and RBI (127) while batting .340 during stops at High-A Lancaster and Double-A Corpus Christi.

Dennis Varney: 859-231-3514, @ExCats

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 9:03 PM with the headline "Astros’ AJ Reed to start season at Triple-A Fresno."

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