Pre-MLB career

Reed was originally drafted out of Enka High School in Candler, NC by the Minnesota Twins. He was chosen in the 11th round of the 1973 MLB draft, but did not sign, instead opting to attend Western Carolina University, where he threw the first no-hitter in the school's history. After four years at WCU, Reed was again drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 22nd round of the 1977 MLB draft. He played the next four seasons in their farm system before earning a September call-up in 1981.

Phillies

Reed pitched just 41⁄3 innings in 4 games in the majors in 1981. He pitched another 7 games for the Phillies in 1982, then was traded to the Cleveland Indians with two other prospects (Wil Culmer and Roy Smith) in exchange for John Denny to boost the Phillies' September stretch run, which fell three games short of the division-winning St. Louis Cardinals.

Indians

Reed pitched a handful of games during the rest of September for the Indians, then returned to the minors for the entire 1984 season. In 1985, he spent most of the year in the major leagues for the first time, pitching in 33 games (including 5 starts). Despite pitching well, with an ERA of 4.11 in 721⁄3 innings, he was released during spring training in 1986.

Mariners

Reed caught on with the Seattle Mariners, starting the season back in the minors, but he would eventually get called back to the majors, going 4–0 in 11 games, and he would then spend the next three full seasons pitching out of the Mariners' bullpen. 1987 was his best season, when Reed had a 3.42 ERA in 39 games, with 7 saves. Reed was released early on in the 1990 season.

Career winding down

The Boston Red Sox were the next team to pick up Reed, but his ERA had ballooned to 4.80, and he was released in August. After the season, he made his way to the Senior Professional Baseball Association, where he pitched in 4 games for the St. Petersburg Pelicans before the league folded, and Reed's professional baseball career ended along with it.

Reed wound up pitching in 238 major league games, all but 12 in relief, with a record of 20–19 and 18 saves.