We continue the countdown today with number 73, UCLA pitcher Cody Poteet. In his freshman campaign with the Bruins, Poteet was slotted as a midweek starter making 29 appearances, including 11 starts. While on the bump for the Bruins, the right-hander went 4-6, compiling 56 strikeouts and posting a 4.84 ERA. With a tough Bruin’s schedule, Poteet found himself in many big spots, yet the freshman did not let that change his approach. In 70.2 IP the 6’1” pitcher only gave up 57 hits and allowed only .227 opposing batting average which was good for 7th in the Pac-12.
The Bonita, CA native attended Christian High School where he was a three year varsity letter winner. Following his junior season, he earned first-team All-East County and first-team All-Eastern League awards as a third baseman after breaking the school record with 55 hits and a .509 average. Poteet chose not to play for Christian in 2012 and instead chose to play for club team ABD Bulldogs where he went 10-1 with 112 strikeouts while posting a 2.10 ERA. He was ranked No. 189 on Baseball America’s top 500 2012 MLB Draft eligible player list and was selected in the 27th round by the Washington Nationals.
During the 2013 summer, Poteet joined the Walla Walla Sweets staff in the West Coast League. While with the Sweets, the right-hander went 3-2 with a 3.78 ERA and helped Walla Walla finish in first place in the North Division of the WCL. In 38 IP, Poteet was able to rack up 27 strikeouts and earned WCL Player of the Week honors on July 8. After being chosen to compete in the West Coast League All-Star game he was then voted the All-Star Game’s top prospect by the MLB scouts in attendance.
After a successful summer, Poteet looks to carry that success into his sophomore season with the Bruins.
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