Shane Smith

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #24 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium.
  
  Track Record: Smith made just seven appearances in three years at Wake Forest. He redshirted as a freshman in 2019, lost most of 2020 to the pandemic and had Tommy John surgery in 2021. The Brewers signed him as an undrafted free agent in July 2021. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Smith threw a career-high 94.1 innings in 2024, mostly at Double-A Biloxi, after working as a reliever in 2022 and 2023. He reached Triple-A Nashville for five appearances in September. Three months later, the White Sox selected him with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft.
  
  Scouting Report: Smith split time between starting and relieving in 2024, pitching off a fastball that sat 92-96 mph and reached 98 from the bullpen before dropping a couple of ticks when working as a starter. He mixes in an average overhand curveball at 76-80 mph with good depth and an average 84-87 mph slider with cut action. He began incorporating an east-to-west sweeper at 80-83 mph to counter the rest of his pitches that all have vertical movement. He rarely threw his 88-90 mph split changeup. Using a repeatable high three-quarters delivery, Smith varies tempo to throw off hitters.
  
  The Future: To retain Smith, the White Sox must keep him on the active MLB roster or injured list all season. That shouldn’t be an issue if he pitches reasonably well.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50.