Prospect Profile: Walker Powell Could Be This Year’s Big Sleeper…Literally

Now that all the names are signed, the T’s are crossed, and the I’s are dotted, it’s time to start looking at just exactly who some of the newest Cubs are. Some of them are draft picks, some of them are from trades, and some are free agents who were not drafted. Over the next 3 or 4 months, you and I have 31 new Cubs to get to know. In fact, it might take the rest of summer to get this series of profiles completed as well as continuing to cover the action on the field. 

So, let’s get started…

When sources announced that Walker Powell from Southern Mississippi signed a free agent contract with the Cubs, I raised one eyebrow. I thought, “That’s a good school that produces good players that can play in the majors.” Then I saw he was 6’8” tall. Another eyebrow was raised. And if I had a third eyebrow, that would’ve gone up too once I looked at his stats for the past three years.

With the success the Cubs had with last year’s non-drafted free-agent class, I feel pretty good about this year’s small crop of arms that the Cubs signed and Powell Is that the top of that list.

Basic Info

Age – 25

Height – 6-foot-8

Weight – 210

Throws – Right

School – Southern Mississippi

Signed as a nondrafted free agent

The first thing that catches your eye about Powell Is that he is 25 years old and has had Tommy John surgery twice. He started at Southern Miss in 2016 and he was impressive as a freshman with a 3.46 ERA in 18 games, mostly out of the pen. He missed all of 2017 due to TJS. Southern Miss coach Scott Berry said this about Powell and what he’s overcome as a result of TJS: “The adversity he came through describes who he is and his love for the game. He’s Mr. Consistent, just a true pitcher.”

If Saturday's the final time Walker Powell pitched at Pete Taylor Park, there isn't a better way to go out.

Powell was emotional walking off the mound after tossing a no-hitter – thinking about everything he's overcame, including 2 Tommy John surgeries.@SouthernMissBSB #SMTTT pic.twitter.com/ZgApRCZ7Vn

— Taylor Curet (@TaylorCuret) May 9, 2021

 In 2018, his first full season back was a bit of an adjustment as he had a 3.70 ERA, all as a starter. In 83 IP, he struck out 62. His 2019 ERA dropped precipitously to 2.72 in 99.1 IP with 73 Ks while 2020’s abbreviated campaign saw him go with a 1.24 ERA in just 4 starts where he threw 29 innings with 22 Ks and just 2 walks….2 walks!!!!!!

In 2021, He was the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year. He had a 10-2 record with a 2.31 ERA in 89.2 IP. He struck out 86 while only walking 18 opponents hit just .224 off him.

When I watch video of him, I am impressed with several things. One is that he looks extremely hard to hit because of the angle from which he throws the baseball. It doesn’t look like guys can really square him up. Notice that the catcher’s glove does not move very much once he throws it. He is also able to mix up his pitches so that he’s not dependent on one pitch or another.

2019 elig Walker Powell looking good for @SouthernMissBSB in the early innings. Tall, loose and online with good arm speed. 89 91 FB. 80 81 SL. Game tied at 1. Top 4 pic.twitter.com/MYWEWQMnvv

— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) April 26, 2019

Where he goes next year is probably the most important topic. Because of his age, size, experience, he should not be toiling in Myrtle Beach, or for that matter even South Bend except on a small trial basis. Tennessee might be his spot and because of his frame, he’s probably going to be a starter. 

I don’t know when he will start throwing this year but I might see him in September in Beloit at the new stadium if he gets assigned to South Bend. That would be fun to get a good glimpse of him in person as that would give me a much better idea of what all he can do against advanced competition.

I am ready for his career to get going.