Rich Poythress
| AB | 1978 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .28 |
| OBP | .364 |
| SLG | .458 |
| HR | 74 |
- Full name Richard Douglas Poythress
- Born 08/11/1987 in Augusta, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Georgia
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Drafted in the 2nd round (51st overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2009 (signed for $694,800).
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After helping Georgia to the College World Series last season, Poythress has had an impressive follow-up season, hitting consistently as the anchor of Georgia's lineup. He recovered from a torn ACL in the fall of his freshman year to make 38 starts and hit .282. He's hit close to .390 the last two seasons with 36 home runs. Poythress does it more with strength, a polished approach and leverage in his swing rather than pure bat speed. He's more of a hitter rather than a slugger, lacking the raw power that Bulldogs shortstop Gordon Beckham showed. He ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in batting, slugging, on-base percentage and home runs while having a stellar junior season. His swing is geared to use the middle of the field, and he could hit for more power if he learns to pull for power better. Some scouts wonder if he'll hit for power against better velocity and consider him a solid hitter but more of a second-division player rather than a difference-maker. Poythress gave third base a whirl last summer in the Cape Cod League and in the fall but fits better defensively at first base, where his soft hands are an asset.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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After breaking Gordon Beckham's Georgia school record with 86 RBIs in 2009, Poythress led the minors with 130 RBIs the following year. He also ranked second in the California League in slugging (.580) and third in homers (31). His 2011 encore wasn't as impressive, as his numbers plummeted in Double-A. He did make strides in the second half, batting .316/.396/.455. Poythress' swing is built more for line drives than homers and his power comes mostly to the opposite field. He does have strength and can turn around anyone's fastball, as evidenced by the homers he hit against hard-throwing Chris Archer (Rays), Matt Bush (Rays) and Paul Clemens (Astros). He has a solid approach at the plate but ultimately may not produce enough offense to profile as an everyday player at first base. Poythress played some third base in college and in pro ball, but first base is his only option at the upper levels. He has good footwork around the bag and an average arm for the position. He's a bottom-of-the-scale runner and no threat on the bases. Poythress will try to show more power when he repeats Double-A in 2012. -
The Mariners were looking for a power bat when they drafted Poythress in the second round of the 2009 draft, so they're hoping his first full season wasn't just a High Desert mirage. After breaking Gordon Beckham's Georgia school record with 86 RBIs in his draft year, he led the minors with 130 in his first full pro season. He also ranked second in the California League in slugging (.580) and third in homers (31), and he did it all while remaking his approach. Poythress employed more of an inside-out swing in the first half of the season, then pulled the ball a lot more after the all-star break. His swing is built more for line drives than homers, but he has the strength to hit balls out to the opposite field. If he can pull the ball consistently, he can be a legitimate masher. He puts together quality at-bats and shows the ability to make quick adjustments, though his swing can get long and he'll need to prove he can get around on quality fastballs. Poythress has an average arm and played a handful of games at third base last season, but his hands are stiff and he doesn't have the range to play there regularly. He's an acceptable defender at first base, though a bottom-of-the-scale runner. All Cal League numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, particularly those at High Desert, so Double-A will be a great litmus test for Poythress in 2011. -
Poythress slugged 25 home runs as a Georgia junior in 2009, ranking him fifth in NCAA Division I. He also drove in 86 runs, erasing Gordon Beckham's single-season school record. He signed for $694,800 as the 51st overall pick, then reported to Double-A, as negotiated in his contract, after a tune-up in the Arizona League. Though Poythress didn't set the Southern League on fire, he showed the same polished approach from his amateur days. Power is his standout tool, and he generates it not with pure bat speed but with strength and leverage in a handsy swing. Because he controls the strike zone and doesn't try to pull everything, he ought to hit for a decent average. Some scouts who saw him in college wonder if his power will play against better velocity. Poythress dallied at third base in college, but his below-average range and fringy arm make him better suited for first base. He doesn't have much speed. Poythress figures to head back to Double-A on merit in 2010. He has the potential to develop into a regular, but his bat will have to carry him.
