IP 4
ERA 6.75
WHIP 1.75
BB/9 0
SO/9 2.25
  • Full name Blake M. Smith
  • Born 12/09/1987 in Modesto, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School California
  • Debut 09/10/2016
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (56th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009 (signed for $643,500).
    View Draft Report
    California's lefthanded-hitting, righty-pitching Smith perplexed scouts all spring. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he has premium size to go with athleticism. He had emerged as a premium prospect last summer with USA Baseball's college national team, when he hit .327 with three homers (second on the team) while also throwing nine scoreless innings, striking out 11. Smith flashes terrific stuff on the mound but struggled in getting hitters out. After early-season difficulties on the mound he has rarely pitched since, finally being relegated only to a DH role by a lat muscle strain. As a pitcher, Smith fires a 92-94 mph fastball, which exhibits fine arm side movement but is straight to his glove side. His 82-84 mph changeup resembles an old-fashioned palm ball, and that pitch shows both arm side movement and "drop dead" action. Unfortunately for Smith, he has poor command and control and gets behind hitters too often. A pitcher with his quality of stuff should not get hit as hard or as frequently as he did this year, when he walked 20 in 20 innings. As an outfielder, Smith has a well above-average right fielder's arm, and his long, sweeping lefthanded swing produces provocative home run power. However, the length and severe uppercut path of his swing may produce holes that professional pitchers can exploit. Observers who saw him regularly with Team USA last summer believe Smith might be better suited for the everyday player role than working on the mound, and see him as fitting the right-field profile perfectly if his bat emerges. However, plenty of scouts believe in Smith's future as a short stint relief man. To be successful in that venture, Smith must greatly improve his command. No one doubts he has the raw stuff to succeed in a middle relief capacity, but he may make it as a hitter as well.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012
  • Rated Best Outfield Arm in the California League in 2011
  • Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011

Scouting Reports

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