Hudson Potts

Position: 3B
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: San Antonio Missions
League: Texas League
Born: 10/28/1998 (Age: 25)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 225
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 1st Rd., (#24 Overall), 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (SDP)

Prospect Spotlight

Potts was a surprise first-rounder in the 2016 Draft, signing for a below-slot $1 million bonus as a shortstop from the Texas prep ranks. He has moved to third since signing, and while that puts more pressure on his bat, he launched 20 home runs last year in Class A Fort Wayne while adding 20 pounds of muscle. Despite having played shortstop in high school, his weight gain has translated to fringy range at the hot corner, though his throws are strong across the infield. A level swing that shoots line drives and shows gap power in batting practice produces over-the-fence power in game action more than it does BP: in both my looks this season (both in spring training and in April), he hasn’t shown enough pop to grade out as average in the raw power department. He’s likely to finish with fringe-average game power with the ability to hit more doubles than dingers.

I like Potts’ hit tool, and it gives him more chances than some prospects to find opportunities. In my April look, he worked his way into fastball counts and manipulated the barrel to drive gaps to both sides of the field. With no standout tool, Potts will be challenged to find a regular role. He projects as a bat-first bench or platoon option, and is likely to get more work in corner-outfield spots to increase his versatility and add more ways to get the bat into the lineup.