New Cubs Pitcher: Cody Poteet's Potential

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Post on Dec 18, 2024

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New Cubs Pitcher: Cody Poteet's Potential – A Deep Dive

The Chicago Cubs, always looking to bolster their pitching staff, recently added Cody Poteet to their roster. While not a household name, Poteet represents an intriguing addition, offering a blend of experience, versatility, and untapped potential that could significantly impact the team's success. This article will delve deep into Poteet's career, analyzing his strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately, his potential to become a key contributor for the Cubs.

From College Star to MLB: Charting Poteet's Journey

Cody Poteet's baseball journey began at Oklahoma State University, where he showcased his promising talent as a starting pitcher. His collegiate performance caught the eye of major league scouts, leading to his selection by the Miami Marlins in the 10th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. This wasn't a high pick, but it highlighted the belief in his inherent abilities.

His early professional career saw him steadily climb the minor league ranks, showcasing a developing arsenal and consistent performance. However, his path wasn't without its bumps. Injuries and the competitive nature of professional baseball presented challenges, but Poteet demonstrated resilience, persevering through setbacks to eventually earn a call-up to the Marlins' major league roster.

His MLB debut wasn't a spectacular splash, but it marked a crucial milestone in his career. His initial appearances demonstrated flashes of brilliance, hinting at the pitcher he could become. He consistently displayed a good command of the strike zone and showed the ability to generate swings and misses. While his ERA wasn't always stellar, the underlying statistics suggested a player with the potential for greater things. The Marlins, while recognizing his potential, ultimately opted to make roster changes, leading to Poteet’s arrival in Chicago.

Unpacking Poteet's Pitch Repertoire: Strengths and Weaknesses

Poteet's pitching repertoire is characterized by a solid foundation of fastballs and off-speed pitches. His fastball, while not overpowering, consistently sits in the low-to-mid 90s, effectively setting up his breaking balls. His changeup, often lauded as his best secondary pitch, is particularly effective against right-handed batters, inducing weak contact and generating a high number of ground balls. His slider and curveball offer additional variety and deception, keeping hitters off balance.

Strengths:

• Command and Control: Poteet demonstrates excellent command, consistently hitting his spots in the strike zone. This minimizes walks and keeps hitters honest. This is a crucial aspect of his game, allowing him to work efficiently and maximize his pitch count.
• Ground Ball Rate: His ability to induce ground balls is a significant asset, reducing the likelihood of hard-hit balls leaving the park. This is a vital skill in today's power-hitting environment.
• Versatility: Poteet has experience pitching both as a starter and in relief, offering the Cubs valuable flexibility. This versatility is a significant factor, making him a valuable asset in different game situations.
• Adaptability: His ability to adapt his approach based on the game situation and the batter's tendencies suggests a high baseball IQ and a willingness to learn.

Weaknesses:

• Fastball Velocity: While his fastball is effective, it lacks the overpowering velocity of some top-tier pitchers. Improving his velocity would significantly enhance his overall effectiveness.
• Consistency: While showing flashes of brilliance, there have been times when his performance has been inconsistent. Improving this consistency is key to achieving sustained success at the major league level.
• Against Left-Handed Batters: Historically, Poteet has seen slightly less success against left-handed batters. Refining his approach and pitch selection against lefties is an area of focus for improvement.

Poteet's Fit within the Cubs Organization: A Potential Role

The Cubs' acquisition of Poteet is a strategic move that addresses multiple needs. His versatility gives them flexibility in their pitching staff, allowing them to utilize him in various roles depending on the team’s requirements. He could fill a long relief role, providing valuable innings out of the bullpen, or potentially even compete for a spot in the starting rotation.

His ability to induce ground balls and his control are valuable assets for a team often susceptible to the long ball. His presence will enhance the Cubs' pitching depth, adding competition and pushing others to improve their performance. The organization’s focus on player development suggests a belief that they can further refine his skills and maximize his potential.

The Future is Bright: Projecting Poteet’s Success with the Cubs

Cody Poteet's future with the Cubs holds considerable potential. His ability to command the strike zone, generate ground balls, and his versatility make him a valuable asset. While he may not be a frontline ace, his contribution to the team's success could be significant, particularly in a long relief role or in a swingman capacity.

However, his success will depend on several factors: his ability to consistently perform at the major league level, refining his approach against left-handed hitters, and potentially increasing his fastball velocity. The Cubs' coaching staff will play a crucial role in guiding his development and helping him reach his full potential. The team's commitment to player development and their analytical approach to the game suggest that they have the resources and expertise to maximize Poteet's contributions.

Conclusion: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Acquisition

The acquisition of Cody Poteet represents a low-risk, high-reward move for the Chicago Cubs. While he's not a guaranteed star, his skillset, versatility, and potential make him a valuable addition to their pitching staff. With the right coaching and continued development, Poteet could easily blossom into a crucial contributor, helping the Cubs achieve their goals. His journey with the Cubs will be one to watch closely, as he strives to establish himself as a consistent and reliable presence in the major leagues. The combination of his existing skills and the potential for further development makes him an exciting prospect for Cubs fans, who will eagerly await his contributions to the team.