Brooks Pounders File

Name: Brooks Pounders
Birthdate: 09/26/90
Height: 6'5"; Weight: 240 lbs
Bats: Right; Throws: Right
Hometown: Temecula, Cal.
Position: Starting Pitcher
School: Temecula Valley HS (Cal.); signed with Southern Cal
Drafted: Second round (53rd overall)
Signing bonus: $670,000
Assignment: Bradenton (GCL)
Favorite Singers: Hank Williams Jr. and Toby Keith.

Stats: Pounders went 9-2 with a 1.91 ERA, with 91 strikeouts in 64-1/3 innings last season. He also hit .400 with 7 HR and 25 RBI. As a junior, he was 7-3 with a 1.81 ERA, with 75 K in 65-1/3 innings, and hit .333 with 10 HR and 39 RBI.

MLB.com Scouting Report:
Fastball: 88-90 mph range, and keeps it down.
Curve: Stays around the strike zone and has a solid rotation.
Slider: Tight with late bite.
Changeup: A plus pitch now, will be a solid out pitch.
Control: Throws strikes, has above-average fastball command. Will be a plus command guy in the future.
Poise: Good poise, works quickly, and has a no-nonsense attitude on the mound.
Strengths: Four at least average pitches from a high schooler. Works fast and throws strikes, the type who can throw a two-hour game.
Weaknesses: Will have to maintain his body.
Summary: Pounders might be more substance than style. He doesn't seem to have the best body in the world, but he's more athletic in his delivery than you'd think. He won't light up a radar gun -- something that might hurt his Draft status -- but he does have four pitches he can throw for strikes as a high schooler. That kind of pitchability doesn't grow on trees, especially from the prep ranks.

Real Baseball Intelligence Scouting Report:
Strengths: Brooks Pounders has excellent size and is a good athlete despite his girth. As his name suggests, he pounds the zone with three solid pitches: a plus changeup and an average slider and fastball. His command is excellent.
Weaknesses: Pounders' fastball isn't as impressive as the other elite prep pitchers in this class. It's only 89 mph and it is fairly straight. Although he's tall, Pounders isn't long and lean like a lot of other high school pitchers.
The Future: Pitchers with average fastballs and excellent command tend to be underrated. Pounders may not be a first round pick, but in five years, he'll be one of the best high school pitchers to come out of this draft class.

Perfect Game USA Scouting Report:
Brooks Pounders has a big country strong build and is a very talented two way prospect. He has always shown a power bat and in the metrodome he showed a big power arm to go with it. He has always been able to pitch but made a huge jump from touching 90 before to now pitching 90-94. His breaking ball and change were very good and he showed excellent command of three pitches. He also showed his big power potential at the plate with good leverage and strength in his swing. The ball flies off his bat when centered. He is a good student and has verbally committed to the USC Trojans. Aflac All American