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I think Reed points out the limitation of fixating solely on the walk and K, and forgetting to look at the larger picture. 
While walks (and OBP) are an end to themselves, I view PATIENCE as a means to an end.  The end is actually getting better pitches to swing at.  Extreme example is Dunn, stalking gophers, and fanning an awful lot, but also walking an awful lot.
A more nuanced take is Abreu -- walks a lot -- hits for good, (but not incredible) power, and maintains solid BA as well.
Reed's early lines - even in college - were light on isolated power.  His ISO was 150ish, pretty much from the get-go.  His minor league line was pushed HARD by BA, (.321), which made BOTH his OBP and Slugging look better than they really were.  When his .320 minor league BA turned into a .260 major league BA, he lost 120 points of OPS.  (Let's make that O O P S. :-)
Well, it would've -- except he ALSO lost 50 ADDITIONAL points off his ISO.  Turns out he was stalking pitches in the minors ... and ONLY had a 150 ISO.  THAT is a guy with limited upside.