By MIKE BLACKERBY
College baseball scouts really didn’t have much of a sample size to evaluate Powell’s Logan Poteet.
That didn’t stop perennial power Vanderbilt from extending an offer to the promising Panthers’ catcher.
Poteet, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior, committed to the Commodores recently despite playing only three games as a sophomore after COVID-19 put a halt to the spring sports season.
In 2019, Poteet batted .309 in just 42 at bats as a freshman for the Panthers.
“A lot of people when he committed were like, ‘who is this guy?’” said Powell coach Josh Warner.
I am excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and baseball career at Vanderbilt University! I would like to thank everyone that has helped me along the way. I can’t wait to be a VandyBoy! Anchor Down ⚓️⬇️ @TEAMELITENATION @ETCrusaders @Josh_Warner7 @nextleveledit pic.twitter.com/crMTAiFMsA
— Logan Poteet (@Logan5Poteet) August 27, 2020
Evidently, a strong showing on the summer circuit by Poteet was enough to raise eyebrows in the Vanderbilt camp.
Poteet was a key cog for the star-studded Atlanta Team Elite U16 that played in multiple tournaments in Georgia and Florida.
“He had a great summer and that’s what got him the opportunity to go to Vanderbilt,” said Warner.
“He went down there and started for those guys. He batted third in the lineup and had a great weekend in the first tournament he played in. That’s kind of where it started for Logan.”
Still, given his lack of high school experience, Poteet was stunned by the Vanderbilt offer.
“I got a text from them (extending an offer),” recounted Poteet, whose only other offer to date was from East Tennessee State.
“From there, it really hit me. I was really excited. I thought it would never happen. I got in front of them (Vanderbilt) at the right time.”
Warner said Poteet hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of his abilities.
“The sky is the limit for Logan,” said Warner.
“It (Vanderbilt offering) is just a testament to who he is. He’s a baseball player and he takes the game very seriously. They saw he has a lot of baseball IQ and he’s a natural leader behind the plate,” continued Warner.
“Vandy knew he could hit. Once they saw how he was behind the plate, that’s what set him apart. I’ve been fortunate to coach a lot of good catchers, but Logan has a chance to be the best I’ve coached.”