Jonathan Poterson Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Jonathan Christopher Poterson
Born 02/10/1986 in Chandler, AZ
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Chandler
Drafted in the C-1 round (37th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2004 (signed for $925,000).

View Draft Report

Poterson should be one of the first high school catchers drafted, but not all scouts see him at the position in pro ball. He's a below-average receiver with an average arm and will need to work on his deficiencies to remain behind the plate. His bat will play anywhere. A switch-hitter, he has excellent balance at the plate and stays inside balls well, with more polish from the left side. Powerfully built at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he's capable of hitting balls 450 feet in batting practice. His power doesn't play as well in games, though he hit 13 home runs this spring. Poterson is athletic enough to play on an outfield corner, but has a history of hamstring problems. He has committed to Chandler-Gilbert JC, so college is not a primary option.

Top Rankings

Six of the Yankees' first seven picks in the 2004 draft were pitchers. The lone exception was Poterson, a supplemental first-rounder taken with a pick they received as compensation for the loss of Andy Pettitte. Poterson, who grew up a Yankees fan and lived in New York until he was 10, won over the club during a predraft workout when he launched several balls into the upper deck in right field at Yankee Stadium. He signed for $925,000. A switch-hitter who's slightly better from the left side, he has light-tower raw power that ranks at the top of the system, which is curiously absent of sluggers, and was just one off the Gulf Coast League home run lead. He has a balanced approach and a knack for staying inside the ball. Poterson was a catcher in high school, but the Yankees moved him to the outfield after drafting him because of his below-average receiving skills. Poterson got off to a horrible start to his pro career, but came around in August and performed well in instructional league, offsetting any doubts the Yankees might have had. He's slated to begin 2005 in low Class A.