Boog Powell

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2016
  The Athletics drafted Powell but sent him to the Rays in the January 2015 deal that brought Ben Zobrist to Oakland. The Rays later included him in the six-player package to Seattle that also brought Nate Karns to the Mariners. Powell was suspended for 50 games in 2014 after testing positive for an amphetamine. The Mariners believe his plus speed and fearless defense will make him a good fit for center field in Seattle. However, his ability to hit on a consistent basis will determine if he plays as a regular or a backup. Powell, whose nickname Boog is a tribute to the former Orioles first baseman even though they are not related, draws comparisons to Adam Eaton and Brett Gardner for his style of play. Powell has good bat-to-ball skills and can bunt for hits or sacrifices, and he has drawn 61 walks each of the last two seasons. He's at his best when working the count and driving the ball to gaps. He slumped when he expanded the strike zone and got big with his swing, trying to generate power. He's a fearless defender in either center or left field who earns teammates' respect with his all-out play--he dove head-first into the stands to make a catch while playing left field for Durham. He's an above-average runner but an inefficient basestealer. He'll get a shot to make the big league club, most likely as an extra outfielder.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #21 prospect in 2015
  Powell's nickname of Boog--his given name is Herschel--is indeed a nod to the Orioles star first baseman of the 1960s and '70s, who was one of his grandfather's favorite players. He took off with a big first half in 2014. His momentum abruptly halted on July 7 when he tested positive for an amphetamine and was hit with a 50-game suspension. Powell doesn't have any especially loud offensive tools, but he plays hard and is sound fundamentally. He has a simple swing, and while he generates little power, he hits balls hard enough to keep defenses honest. He'll drive balls to both gaps and can run into the occasional homer. He's also a highly adept bunter. Powell's plus speed plays better on defense, where he's fearless in center field, than on the bases, where poor reads and jumps hinder his basestealing capability. Down the road, Powell figures to compete with a similar player in Billy Burns for big league time, but for now he'll go back to high Class A Stockton.