Draft Profile - 1B Rich Poythress, Georgia

[BearSox]

Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia - (Bats R | Throws R)

(^Gordon Beckham left, Rich Poythress right^)

Scouting Report

Strengths: Big powerful hitter with power to all fields. Has hit for a high average in college ball. Knows the strike zone and draws walks. Is considered a safe pick.

 

Negatives: Lack of bat speed leaves questions about his ability to hit for average at the next level. Is mediocre defensively without much arm strength. Is he only a one dimensional player? Has not hit Friday starters all that well and has cooled down since his great start.

Scouting Report Links

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/...ntent=poythress

http://forum-soxprospects.com/sreply/17034...ng-Reports.html

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft...009/268095.html

Still a first-rounder with polished bat and all-fields approach

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/4/23/8...college-hitters

One of the best power hitters in college ball this year, Poythress is hitting .411/.511/.861 with 20 homer, 30 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 158 at-bats for the Bulldogs. He rates behind Ackley as a prospect because Ackley can run well enough to play the outfield. Although not quite in the Justin Smoak category, Poythress has a legitimate bat with power and strike zone judgment, and is another "safe" choice for several clubs.

 

Statistics

2009 - .379 AVG | 21 HR | 77 RBI | 214 AB | 81 H | 14 2B | 35 BB | 33 SO | .467 OBP | .738 SLG

 

2007 & 2008 - http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/P/R...Poythress.shtml

 

Bio

http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbm...p;ATCLID=742419

http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerp...e.aspx?ID=26818 (This is from when he was in high school)

Rich Poythress is a 2006 first baseman/third baseman from Grovetown, GA with a big strong frame at 6-4, 230 lbs. strong arm, good glove, he can pick, makes solid contact, gets good extension, good bat speed, huge lift, has lots of raw power with big time HR potential, high level prospect with projectable power, good student

 

Video

 

 

 

Projected Draft Slot

Anywhere in the 20-40 pick range.

Player Comparison

Ryan Shealy

My Take

A college teammate of Gordon Beckham, Poythress would be more of a luxury pick at this time. We have Allen and potentially Viciedo as 1B/DH types, and there's no answer as to when Paul Konerko will no longer be wearing a White Sox uniform. I wouldn't even be tempted to touch him with pick no. 23. However, if he falls to 38, it'd be hard to pass him up.

 

Also, his swing seems similer to Beckham's.

[Chisoxfn]

He's been falling in recent weeks due to his struggles against good college pitching. He's pretty much made his living off of poor college starters throughout his career.

[BearSox]

Yep, I've been hearing that as well. But I think if he's still there at 38, you have to put him into consideration.

[Chisoxfn]

Yep, I've been hearing that as well. But I think if he's still there at 38, you have to put him into consideration.

I'd probably pass. A lot better athletes out there as far as I'm concerned, plus I want pitching pitching and more pitching and there are going to be some good arms out there as well. So my choice between good arms, toolsy outfielders our just a pure offensive prospect with obvious offensive holes, I'm going to go with the other two options 99% of the time. Unless the guy can flat out RAKE.

 

I'd rather go after Louisville's 3rd baseman if he slides into the 3rd.

[BearSox]

However, if Poythress does rake in the minors, he is someone you could turn around and trade for someone. Similar to what the Brewers did with Laporta, and what I think the Reds are doing with Yonder.

 

However, Yonder and Laporta were a lot better prospects than Poythress.

Edited May 20, 2009 by BearSox

[OilCan]

Might be one of those sandwhich picks for the Sox.

[ThunderBolt]

I don't like to be greedy, but I’d prefer for someone with Poythress' skill set to bat left-handed. Especially, because he does nothing exceptionally well.