Boog Powell (outfielder)


Herschel Mack "Boog" Powell IV is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics.

Career

Powell attended Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, California, and Orange Coast College.

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics selected Powell in the 20th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that season with the Arizona League Athletics. in 2013 he played for the Vermont Lake Monsters. Powell started 2014 with the Beloit Snappers. In June he was named the MVP of the Midwest League All-Star Game. He was later promoted to the Stockton Ports. In July, Powell was suspended 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine.

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 10, 2015, the Athletics traded Powell, John Jaso, and Daniel Robertson to the Tampa Bay Rays for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar. He attended major league spring training in 2015.

Seattle Mariners

On November 5, 2015, the Rays traded Powell, Nate Karns, and C. J. Riefenhauser to the Seattle Mariners for Brad Miller, Logan Morrison, and Danny Farquhar. The Mariners added him to their 40-man roster after the season. On June 23, 2016, Powell accepted an 80-game suspension for a second positive test for banned substances. The Mariners promoted him to the major leagues on April 29, 2017, and he made his major league debut against the Cleveland Indians on that day.

Oakland Athletics (second stint)

On August 6, 2017, the Mariners traded him back to the Oakland Athletics for Yonder Alonso. He was sent outright to Triple-A on September 1, 2018. He became a free agent after the 2018 season.

San Diego Padres

On January 24, 2019, Powell signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.

Cincinnati Reds

On January 10, 2020, Powell signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Personal life

Powell is nicknamed "Boog" after the former Baltimore Orioles first baseman and 1970 AL MVP Boog Powell, with whom he shares no relation. His father gave him the nickname as a child in order to avoid confusion, since Powell shares a name with his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.