Mike Potts (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Michael Larry Potts is a former left-handed Major League Baseball
relief pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers
in 1996. He was 5'9" tall and he weighed 179 pounds.
Before being drafted, Potts attended Lithonia High School
and then Gordon College
. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians
in the 16th round of the 1989 draft
. He opted not to sign, however. When he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves
in the 18th round of the 1990 draft
, he did sign.
Potts began his professional career with the Macon Braves in 1991, with whom he went 8-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 34 games (11 starts). With the Durham Bulls
in 1992, he went 6-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 30 games (21 starts).
He played for the Greenville Braves
in 1993, 7-6 with a 3.88 in 25 starts. Although he was used entirely as a starter in 1993, in 1994 he was used entirely as a reliever. For the Richmond Braves
, he made 52 appearances, going 6-3 with a 3.68 ERA.
In 1995, Potts spent the entire season with the Richmond Braves, making 38 appearances (one start), and going 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA. On January 12, 1996, he was selected off waivers by the Brewers, and he ended up being on their opening day roster. He made his big league debut on April 6, 1996, against the Seattle Mariners
. He pitched an inning in that game, allowing two hits but walking away unscathed. He would not be so lucky the rest of the season, appearing in a total of 24 games, allowing 58 hits and 30 walks (only 21 strikeouts) in 45 1/3 innings. He had an ERA of 7.15 and a record of 1-2. He played his final big league game on July 15, 1996. Potts also appeared in 11 games for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
, going 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.
After leaving baseball Potts started a career in Law Enforcement, first with the Durham County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office, then later the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in 1996. He was 5'9" tall and he weighed 179 pounds.
Before being drafted, Potts attended Lithonia High School
Lithonia High School
Lithonia High School is a public high school located in Lithonia, Georgia. It serves 1,692 students from grades 9-12. Angela Moton is the current principal. It has many clubs and extracurricular activities, including a book club, Future Business Leaders of America and marching band...
and then Gordon College
Gordon College (Massachusetts)
Gordon College is a liberal arts college located on the former Princemere estate in Wenham, Massachusetts, northeast of Beverly. Founded by Baptist minister A. J...
. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the 16th round of the 1989 draft
1989 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental first round selections:-External links:*...
. He opted not to sign, however. When he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 18th round of the 1990 draft
1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
, he did sign.
Potts began his professional career with the Macon Braves in 1991, with whom he went 8-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 34 games (11 starts). With the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
in 1992, he went 6-8 with a 4.02 ERA in 30 games (21 starts).
He played for the Greenville Braves
Greenville Braves
The Greenville Braves were an American minor league baseball franchise, based in Greenville, South Carolina, that served as the Class AA farm team of the Atlanta Braves between 1984 and 2004...
in 1993, 7-6 with a 3.88 in 25 starts. Although he was used entirely as a starter in 1993, in 1994 he was used entirely as a reliever. For the Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
, he made 52 appearances, going 6-3 with a 3.68 ERA.
In 1995, Potts spent the entire season with the Richmond Braves, making 38 appearances (one start), and going 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA. On January 12, 1996, he was selected off waivers by the Brewers, and he ended up being on their opening day roster. He made his big league debut on April 6, 1996, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. He pitched an inning in that game, allowing two hits but walking away unscathed. He would not be so lucky the rest of the season, appearing in a total of 24 games, allowing 58 hits and 30 walks (only 21 strikeouts) in 45 1/3 innings. He had an ERA of 7.15 and a record of 1-2. He played his final big league game on July 15, 1996. Potts also appeared in 11 games for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
, going 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.
After leaving baseball Potts started a career in Law Enforcement, first with the Durham County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office, then later the North Carolina Highway Patrol.