In early December, general manager Kenny Williams traded closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays, in exchange for a then-22-year-old starting pitching prospect, Nestor Molina, leaving the vital closer role vacated.
Only in his second year in Major League Baseball and first as a full-time closer, Santos' 30 saves ranked eighth in the American League, but with the team's plethora of young relievers, Williams felt he was expendable.
Atop that list is the 23-year-old Reed.
Reed made his Major League debut last season on September 4 as one of the month's usual call-ups, but it would be quickly known he was anything, but the usual September call-up, dazzling his piers.
In on mob-up duty with his team trailing 9-0, Reed threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run, on four hits, while striking out three in Chicago's eventual 18-2 lose to the division rival Detroit Tigers. Following his debut, Reed would appear in six more games for the White Sox in 2011, including a string of six straight scoreless innings before having it snapped by Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera, tagging the right-hander for a three-run home run.
It was the first home run surrendered by Reed in his career.
Reed finished the year with a 3.68 earned run average, while striking out 12 and walking just one in 7 1/2 innings. But it was his road to the show that is most impressive.
A Southern California native, Reed attended Los Osos High School, where he played varsity baseball all four years. However, known for his big bat in the middle of the Grizzlies' lineup, Reed didn't starting pitching until his junior year, pitching his first two high school innings that year.
It wouldn't until his senior season that Reed would flourish in his future home.
Reed went 5-1 during his final year with the Grizzlies, posting a 2.53 ERA and becoming the ace of the staff. Not to mention never losing his ability to hit, batting .446 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs and 34 runs batted in.
After his graduation, Reed attended San Diego State University, joining Hall of Famer, Tony Gwynn's squad. He spent three seasons as an Aztec, mainly closing games for National's ace and good friend, Stephen Strasburg. In 2009, he led the nation in saves, converting all 20 of his opportunities, setting a new team and Mountain West Conference record.
Reed decided to forgo his senior season at San Diego after being drafted in the third-round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft by the White Sox.
After a great season in the rookie ball for the Great Fall Voyagers, Reed begin this past season with only one thing in mind. Combining for 43 appearances for four different teams, including Class A Kannapolis, Class A Advanced Winston-Salem, Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, Reed rapidly ascended the Minor League system.
Prior to receive his call-up, Reed's numbers were eye-popping. In 78 2/3 innings, he posted microscopic 1.26 ERA, giving up just 43 hits. He also struck out 111 Minor League hitters compared to only 11 base-on-balls.
He was recently named to MLB.com's Top Prospect list, which increased from 50 to 100 this year. Reed found himself just making the cut, claiming No. 100.
Veterans Matt Thorton and Jesse Crain, both whom have experiencing closing, are the favorites heading into camp to land the closer job, but both have been discussed in possibly trade rumors this winter, leaving the door open.
Along with his intimidating 6-foot-4 stature and unorthodox delivery, Reed is armed with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and a devastating change up that could have him closing games on the South Side by the end of 2012.
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