Brooks Pounders Stats & Scouting Report

IP	45.0
ERA	8.60
WHIP	1.822
BB/9	2.4
SO/9	9.4

Full name Brooks Casey Pounders
Born 09/26/1990 in Riverside, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 265 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Temecula Valley
Debut 07/05/2016
Drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 (signed for $670,000).

View Draft Report

Among California preps, Temecula Valley High righthander Brooks Pounders has split scouts more than any other player. Pounders' father Brad was a star at UC Riverside and played in the Padres farm system in the 1980s. Brooks is a jumbo-sized 6-foot-5, 240-pounder, who despite his intimidating size is not a fireballer. Instead, he has a feel for four pitches and advanced secondary stuff. His fastball ranges from 88-90 mph, peaking at 91. He throws both a tight curveball and hard slider, both of which have plus potential, and rounds out his repertoire with a changeup. Pounders' frame is not projectable, so he doesn't figure to throw much harder in the future. His fastball is fairly straight, and his command can be inconsistent. Those factors may combine to depress Pounder's draft position, and if he slides he'll end up at Southern California.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Pounders starred at Southern California prep power Temecula Valley High before the Pirates drafted him 53rd overall in 2009 and signed him for $670,000. The Pirates traded him two years later to the Royals in a deal for infielder Yamaico Navarro, and the Angels brought him back to his native southern California after the 2016 season in exchange for minor league righthander Jared Ruxer. Pounders has the size of a power pitcher, but he's long succeeded more with feel and the ability to mix pitches and locate. The son of former UC Riverside and Padres minor league pitcher Brad Pounders, Brooks missed much of 2014 and 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery and a strained oblique but has gained a small bump in velocity since returning to health, with his once 88-91 mph fastball now sitting 91-93. Pounders' slider is his best secondary offering, but like his fastball, it's average. He will mix in a changeup that flashes average but isn't consistent and a fringy early-count curveball. Pounders made his big league debut in 2016 after seven seasons in the minors. He's an emergency starter/low-leverage reliever, but he's ready to handle that role right now.

Minor League Top Prospects

Scouts were split on Pounders when they watched him in high school this spring, as he has a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds but not a big fastball. A second-rounder who signed for $670,000, he doesn't offer much projection either, though he does have an advanced feel for his secondary pitches. Pounders' fastball typically sits at 89-92 mph, though it sometimes dips to 86. His 78-82 mph is his best secondary pitch and has good armside fade. He hasn't used his curveball much, but the Pirates think he has good feel for it and believe he'll be a big league starter with advanced feel and command of three pitches. "He walked a couple guys the first time we saw him," Yankees manager Tom Slater said. "Since then, he's been really solid. He looks like a horse to me. He threw the ball well and he's not a max-effort guy."

Career Transactions

Tacoma Rainiers released RHP Brooks Pounders.
Tacoma Rainiers activated RHP Brooks Pounders from the 7-day injured list.
Tacoma Rainiers placed RHP Brooks Pounders on the 7-day injured list.
Tacoma Rainiers activated RHP Brooks Pounders from the 7-day injured list.
Tacoma Rainiers placed RHP Brooks Pounders on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Brooks Pounders to a minor league contract.
Durham Bulls released RHP Brooks Pounders.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent RHP Brooks Pounders to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Brooks Pounders elected free agency.
New York Mets sent RHP Brooks Pounders outright to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets designated RHP Brooks Pounders for assignment.
New York Mets optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Syracuse Mets.
Cleveland Indians traded RHP Brooks Pounders to New York Mets for cash.
Cleveland Indians signed free agent RHP Brooks Pounders to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Columbus Clippers.
RHP Brooks Pounders elected free agency.
Colorado Rockies sent RHP Brooks Pounders outright to Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies selected the contract of Brooks Pounders from Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Albuquerque Isotopes.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Brooks Pounders to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Brooks Pounders elected free agency.
Los Angeles Angels sent RHP Brooks Pounders outright to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels designated RHP Brooks Pounders for assignment.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled Brooks Pounders from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled Brooks Pounders from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled Brooks Pounders from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled Brooks Pounders from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels recalled Brooks Pounders from Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees.
Kansas City Royals traded RHP Brooks Pounders to Los Angeles Angels for RHP Jared Ruxer.
Los Angeles Angels optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Salt Lake Bees.
Kansas City Royals recalled RHP Brooks Pounders from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled Brooks Pounders from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals optioned RHP Brooks Pounders to Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals selected the contract of Brooks Pounders from Omaha Storm Chasers.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Pacific Coast League All-Stars.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals invited non-roster RHP Brooks Pounders to spring training.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Wilmington Blue Rocks.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals sent RHP Brooks Pounders on a rehab assignment to Idaho Falls Chukars.
sent RHP Brooks Pounders on a rehab assignment to AZL Royals.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Wilmington Blue Rocks.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals sent RHP Brooks Pounders on a rehab assignment to Idaho Falls Chukars.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals sent RHP Brooks Pounders on a rehab assignment to Idaho Falls Chukars.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals placed RHP Brooks Pounders on the 60-day disabled list.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated RHP Brooks Pounders from the 7-day disabled list.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals placed RHP Brooks Pounders on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 19, 2013.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Brooks Pounders assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Kane County Cougars.
Brooks Pounders assigned to Kane County Cougars from Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Brooks Pounders assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Kansas City Royals.
Kansas City Royals traded 3B Yamaico Navarro to Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Brooks Pounders and 3B Diego Goris.
Brooks Pounders roster status changed by West Virginia Power.
West Virginia Power placed RHP Brooks Pounders on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Brooks Pounders assigned to West Virginia Power from State College Spikes.
Brooks Pounders assigned to State College Spikes from West Virginia Power.
Brooks Pounders assigned to West Virginia Power from Pirates Extended Spring Training.
Brooks Pounders assigned to Pirates Extended Spring Training from West Virginia Power.
Brooks Pounders assigned to West Virginia Power from State College Spikes.
Brooks Pounders assigned to State College Spikes from GCL Pirates.
Brooks Pounders assigned to GCL Pirates from Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates signed RHP Brooks Pounders.