Who Is Cody Poteet? A Cubs Scouting Report

𝕻𝖆𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝕮𝖎𝖙𝖞 𝕮𝖍𝖚𝖗𝖈𝖍 𝕯𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

You need 5 min read

·

Post on Dec 18, 2024

42 visitor like this post

Share

Who is Cody Poteet? A Cubs Scouting Report

Cody Poteet. The name might not ring a bell for casual baseball fans, but within the intricate world of scouting and minor league baseball, it represents a compelling story of perseverance, adaptation, and undeniable potential. This scouting report delves into the strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects of this intriguing Chicago Cubs pitching prospect. We’ll explore his journey, analyze his pitching repertoire, and speculate on his potential impact on the Major League team.

Early Career and Development:

Cody Poteet's baseball journey began like many others – a love for the game nurtured from a young age. He honed his skills through high school and collegiate baseball, steadily improving his pitching arsenal and demonstrating a strong work ethic. While not a highly touted prospect coming out of college, his consistent performance and inherent athleticism caught the eye of scouts. This consistent performance was key; he wasn't a flashy prospect with overpowering stuff, but he demonstrated the crucial elements of pitching: command, control, and deception.

The Cubs, known for their strong player development system, saw something special in Poteet. They drafted him, and the process of molding him into a potential Major League pitcher began. His early minor league career was marked by periods of adaptation and learning. He wasn't immediately dominant, but he consistently showed improvement, learning to leverage his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses. This gradual, incremental improvement is a hallmark of effective player development and suggests a player with a high baseball IQ and a strong desire to succeed.

Pitching Repertoire and Mechanics:

Poteet isn't a power pitcher in the traditional sense. His fastball velocity sits in the low-to-mid 90s, a respectable but not overpowering number. However, his success isn't solely reliant on velocity. He's a master of deception and utilizes a diverse arsenal of secondary pitches to keep hitters off balance.

• Fastball: As mentioned, his fastball is a reliable offering, sitting in the 92-95 mph range. While not overpowering, its command and movement make it an effective pitch. He’s skilled at locating it both inside and outside the strike zone, setting up his off-speed pitches.

• Changeup: This is arguably Poteet's best secondary pitch. It features exceptional deception and movement, often fooling hitters into swinging and missing or grounding out weakly. The late break on his changeup is a key component of his success against both right-handed and left-handed batters.

• Slider/Curveball: Poteet utilizes a slider or a curveball, depending on the game situation and the batter's tendencies. These pitches are not as prominent as his fastball and changeup, but they serve as effective weapons to keep hitters guessing and expand his strike zone. The development and refinement of these secondary pitches will be crucial for his continued success at higher levels.

His mechanics are considered fundamentally sound. He utilizes a repeatable delivery, minimizing wasted movement and maximizing efficiency. This efficiency translates to lower pitch counts and better stamina, crucial aspects for a starting pitcher.

Strengths:

• Command and Control: This is perhaps Poteet's most significant strength. He consistently hits his spots, minimizing free passes and limiting big innings. His control allows him to work efficiently and keep hitters guessing.

• Deception: He’s a master of deception. The combination of his average velocity fastball and his excellent changeup make it difficult for hitters to pick up the ball out of his hand.

• Work Ethic and Coachability: Scouts and coaches consistently praise Poteet's work ethic and coachability. He’s a player who actively seeks feedback and works diligently to improve his game. This is vital for long-term success at the professional level.

• Pitchability: Poteet is a "pitcher," not just a "thrower." He understands how to use his repertoire to attack hitters, exploit weaknesses, and work through lineups effectively.

Weaknesses:

• Velocity: While adequate, his velocity isn’t elite. Facing consistently stronger hitters in higher levels of baseball will test his ability to overpower them.

• Secondary Pitch Development: While his changeup is exceptional, further development of his slider/curveball is crucial to keep hitters from focusing solely on his changeup. Adding more consistent movement and sharpness to these pitches will increase their effectiveness.

• Durability: As with any young pitcher, durability is always a concern. The rigors of a long minor league season and the increased workload in the major leagues can test a pitcher's physical resilience. Monitoring his workload and preventing injury will be crucial.

Potential Major League Impact:

Poteet's potential impact on the Cubs' major league roster is intriguing. He’s not likely to be a frontline ace, but he could become a valuable member of the pitching staff. He projects as a mid-rotation starter or a high-leverage reliever. His command, control, and deception make him a difficult matchup for many hitters. His ability to consistently induce weak contact and limit walks will be valuable in both roles.

Conclusion:

Cody Poteet is a fascinating prospect. His journey demonstrates that success in baseball isn't always about overpowering velocity but rather a combination of command, control, deception, and a strong work ethic. While his ceiling might not be that of an ace, his floor is high enough to make him a valuable asset to the Chicago Cubs. His continued development, particularly the refinement of his secondary pitches and maintaining his durability, will determine how high he can climb in the organization and ultimately his impact on the major league team. The Cubs' player development system has a strong track record, and with their continued guidance, Poteet could become a key contributor to their future success. The coming seasons will be pivotal in solidifying his place in the big leagues and showcasing the full extent of his potential.