Reed powers Grizzlies with go-ahead blast

A.J. Reed might want to consider a short-term lease on his apartment in Fresno. Chances are, he'll be a resident of the Lone Star State before too long.

The Astros' No. 2 prospect belted his second homer in as many games, a solo blast in the eighth inning that gave Triple-A Fresno a 2-1 win in the Grizzlies' home opener. 

With the score tied, 1-1, Reed took Las Vegas southpaw Dario Alvarez's offering over the center field fence to put the Grizzlies ahead for good.

"The first few games, I felt like I was in between pitches," he said. "I was late on fastballs, so I tweaked my stance, which helped get my timing back and put me in position to hit the ball hard. That's what I've done the last two games."

It was the second straight multi-hit contest for Reed, who is 5-for-9 since opening the season in a 4-for-20 funk. Despite the recent hot streak, the 22-year-old first baseman hasn't changed his style at the plate.

"I feel like I have same approach," Reed said. "I'm looking for something up and out over the plate to drive and hit hard. Tonight, I got a fastball and I put a good swing on it." 

Slugging home runs is nothing new for Reed. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Indiana native led all Minor Leaguers with 34 long balls and 127 RBIs last season playing for Class A Advanced Lancaster and Double-A Corpus Christi. He also was among the last players Houston reassigned to Minor League camp last month after an impressive Spring Training. Now knocking on the door to the big leagues, Reed said he understands how close he is to realizing his dream, but he also understands why he's in Fresno instead of Houston.

"I think anyone in my position has it in their head that they're just one step away," he said. "I need to prove myself here in Triple-A and just take things day by day, at-bat by at-bat and hit the ball hard. I have no control over when they decide to call me up, so when it's time, it's time."

Reed also credits Astros center fielder Colby Rasmus for helping him during big league camp, leaning on the veteran and finding out when to get away from a game that can wear down even the best players.

"I got real close to Colby," he said." We both have similar interests off the field and it was easy to talk to him and just get away from baseball at times. He had a lot of good things to tell me and he'd pick me up if I didn't do well. He was a good example and role model for me."

The 2014 Golden Spikes Award winner at the University of Kentucky, Reed was taken in the second round by the Astros that summer and has been on a meteoric rise ever since. 

"I needed to come to Fresno to work on my defense," Reed said matter-of-factly. "I felt like I took a big step foroward defensively this spring, but I need more quality reps during the actual game, so I'm working hard to get comfortable out there and then hopefully succeed in the Majors.

Danny Worth provided the rest of the Grizzlies' offense with a solo homer and fell a triple shy of the cycle. Starter Brad Peacock allowed one hit over five scoreless innings, walking four and striking out six.

Andrew Barbosa yielded one run on seven hits and struck out six without issuing a walk over five innings in his Triple-A debut for Las Vegas.