Cubs bet big on Dominick Reid’s upside in MLB Draft

Photo courtesy: ABU Athletics

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 5 hours ago

The Chicago Cubs made some interesting selections throughout the MLB draft, which has some fans questioning their decision behind them. Look no further than their third-round pick, Dominick Reid, who was selected at No. 90 despite being ranked #209 overall. It's a bit of a reach, which has been the theme of the first round, as the Cubs saw something they liked in him and were worried he wouldn't be around for much longer.

Listed at 6-3 and 201 pounds, the former Albeline Christian right-hander already has an MLB body type, but could still get bigger and stronger with time. Initially an Oklahoma State commit, Reid pitched less than 20 innings in his two seasons with the Cowboys before hitting the transfer portal. That is when he landed with Albeline Christian, and the rest is history.

Once he signed with the Wildcats, Reid became arguably their most trusted starter this past season as he emerged as the team's Friday night arm. He wound up throwing 88 1/3 innings this past Spring, showing overpowering stuff at times as he set the program record with 112 strikeouts.

After allowing one run in his final three starts, including seven shutout innings with 12 whiffs against Utah Valley in the Western Athletic Conference tournament. That alone cemented him as one of the better arms in this year's class, even if his overall ranking doesn't show that. It's those three starts that the Cubs are taking a lot of stock in, as he was overpowering hitters throughout the season, which is all you can ask for from a college arm, regardless of the competition they see.

Not the hardest thrower in this year's draft, Reid can rush his fastball up to 96 MPH, but tends to sit in the 91-94 MPH range. He does that by moving his running fastball around the strike zone, which in return makes it hard for the hitters to consistently get a good look at that heater. What the Cubs like most about Reid is his change-up and the potential for that pitch to be an elite secondary offering.

As it stands, his change-up sits in the 82-84 MPH range, which comes with plenty of sinking action. What makes that pitch such a lethal offering at this point in his career is that it comes from the exact same plane as his fastball, so hitters have a tough time dissecting what offer is actually coming.

Reid also has a mid-80s breaking ball in his back pocket, but has yet to trust that pitch as much as the other two. You get a sense of how much he trusts those two offerings as he led all NCAA pitchers with 66 strikeouts on the fastball/change-up combo, as the hitters often became frustrated by not picking up those pitches quickly enough.

Not only is Reid big and strong, but he has an athletic delivery that is easily repeatable pitch to pitch. That alone allows him to pound the strike zone, which is all you can ask for from a pitcher. As good as his changeup is, there are cases where his fastball gets too much of the plate, and when that happens, it makes the changeup less of a secondary weapon and more of a predictable pitch.

Seen as a back-of-the-rotation starter at this point, Reid has the tools to become more of a middle-of-the-rotation arm once he develops further. However, unless he can incorporate a more consistent breaking ball to give the hitters a different look at the plate, his days as a starter could be numbered, as he may be ticketed to the bullpen as a high-leverage arm.

Grade B: Of the Cubs' first three selections, this one comes with the most upside. Not only are they getting a proven starter, but they are also getting one who came into his own as a pitcher this season after seeing minimal time on the mound in his first two seasons.

Had he performed this way his entire college career, Reid would've been a first-rounder without question. Player ranking or not, Reid is going to be a guy the Cubs put a ton of pressure on early, as they want to continue adding starting pitching depth to their organization.