12 Questions with Josh Reddick

SoxProspects.com recently had the opportunity to share some thoughts with Greenville OF Josh Reddick. The Red Sox 17th round pick in the 2006 draft, Reddick started the 2007 season in Extended Spring Training, but was promoted to Greenville on May 20. He's currently hitting an impressive .342 with 6 home runs for the Drive.

SP: Were you highly scouted coming out of high school? Was there any consideration to going pro rather than to Middle Georgia?

JR: I wasn’t really scouted out of high school. The Angels looked at me but never said anything about drafting me. I didn’t want to go pro right out of high school. I had heard that a JUCO was a great draft opportunity so i went after that.

SP: You dominated at the junior college level and won the conference player of the year. What was the competition like in the conference compared to the South Atlantic League?

JR: Junior college was a lot easier than pro ball. In college, the pitchers just weren’t as smart. They would try to blow fastballs by you all the time and I think that’s what made me so successful. In the SAL, they know how to get you out and you have to wait for them to make a mistake and capitalize on it when they do.

SP: What was your draft experience like? Had you met with the Red Sox prior to the draft? Did you expect to go higher or lower in the draft?

JR: The draft was a great experience. I had met with the Red Sox halfway through my college season. I was told by the Angels and the Red Sox that I was going to be drafted in the 7th round but it didn’t happen.

SP: What kind of work did you put in during the time from being drafted in June 2006 until making your pro debut in late May 2007? What adjustments did the Sox have you working on in the Fall Instructional League and in Extended Spring Training?

JR: After being drafted, I didn’t sign right away so I played in a summer wooden bat league, which helped a lot with my development using wooden bats. The team didn’t have me make any adjustments - the only thing they wanted me to work on is my nutrition, which I have been working on all year.

SP: Did you feel like you earned a shot at full season ball out of Spring Training, and if so, did the fact that you didn’t initially make a full season team inspire you to work harder?

JR: I felt that I did well enough to make it in the beginning. But I also looked at the guys that did well last year and I understood why they made it over me. Plus, I didn’t sign for as much money as the other guys either so that didn’t help. I didn’t change a thing from Spring Training through Extended Spring. I just kept doing what I do and it worked out for me in the long run.

SP: In your stops so far in 2007, has there been any friendly competition between you and other outfielders at the levels you’ve been at, such as Reid Engel, Jason Place, Carlos Fernandez, or Ryan Kalish? While you’re all teammates, it seems like there’s a crunch to for the outfielders to get enough at bats.

JR: Well, in XST Kalish and I became good friends and joked around a lot. But here in Greenville we all seem to get along fine on and off the field. There isn’t much competition for at bats now that I‘m here.

SP: You’ll be among the SAL league leaders in average and slugging once you have enough at bats to qualify. Do you consider yourself a contact hitter, a power hitter, or both?

JR: I think I can be both at certain times. If we need a guy on base in the late innings, I will be an average hitter. I can also hit for power in situations, but making contact has always been my best attribute.

SP: We know that the Red Sox like to preach plate discipline and working the count. How has that worked with your specific tools?

JR: I'm not a guy that gets deep in the count a lot. I love to jump on the first pitch fastball that I can drive. But when I need to work the count, I can certainly foul off pitches to work the pitcher.

SP: You racked up a huge number of outfield assists in a short time. In your view, was this a matter of the opposing team not having a scouting report on you? Do you consider your arm strength one of your best assets, or is it more a matter of accuracy?

JR: Both are the result. Opponents not knowing about me helps, but I believe my arm is a great attribute too. I've always had an above average arm and decent accuracy.

SP: How would you describe your glove skills and range in right field?

JR: In my opinion, both are above average.

SP: What aspects of your game have the Red Sox asked you to work on in order to earn a promotion to the next level?

JR: Nutrition and better pitch selection.

SP: Playing in South Carolina, you’re seemingly only a drive from your home in Georgia. Have you made it home at all this season? Do any of your family and friends make the trip to catch your games on the road or at home?

JR: I have been home twice, but I have had a lot of friends and family come to Greenville, Rome, and Augusta which are all close to my home.

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