Devin Smeltzer

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #11 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A cancer survivor, Smeltzer helped San Jacinto (Texas) JC to a national title in 2016 by striking out 20 in a 140-pitch complete game semifinal victory. Smeltzer moved back to the rotation after the Twins acquired him at the 2018 trade deadline in a deal that sent Brian Dozier to Los Angeles.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smeltzer works up and down and in and out, but he is looking to get hitters to swing and miss at pitches outside of the strike zone. He has to do this because his 87-91 mph below-average fastball relies on deception and location. His 75-77 mph curveball is generally average and will flash above-average because of how well he can locate it. It is a slow, big breaker with good depth that he can backdoor to righthanded hitters or sweep inside to try to back them off the plate. It also sweeps away from lefties. His average, low-80s changeup can also flash above-average because it has solid deception and some late drop. Plus control and command are vital to Smeltzer's success.
  
  THE FUTURE: Smeltzer's ability to locate and durability make him a valuable No. 5 starter or long reliever.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #244 prospect in 2016 draft
  A cancer survivor, Smeltzer has long endeared himself to scouts with his never-say-never attitude and work ethic. He inspired the annual Swing For The Cure Camp, an event held in the northeast each year to raise money for children with health concerns. Smeltzer was a 33rd-round pick of the Padres out of high school in 2014, didn't sign and attended Florida Gulf Coast. After a year of pitching for FGCU, Smeltzer transferred to San Jacinto (Texas) and posted an excellent 2016 campaign. His fastball works in the upper 80s and sneaks into the low 90s when he needs a little extra oomph. His best offspeed pitch is his changeup, which he throws for strikes and uses to induce poor contact. Smeltzer has a slider that earns fringe-average reviews from scouts, but flashes sharp break when it's on. He'll need to continue getting stronger, but he has good control of a three-pitch mix and he's lefthanded, so teams will be interested in signing him. He struck out 20 in his final start, though he threw 140 pitches in the NJCAA World Series outing.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A cancer survivor, Smeltzer helped San Jacinto (Texas) JC to a national title in 2016 by striking out 20 in a 140-pitch complete game semifinal victory. Smeltzer moved back to the rotation after the Twins acquired him at the 2018 trade deadline in a deal that sent Brian Dozier to Los Angeles.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smeltzer works up and down and in and out, but he is looking to get hitters to swing and miss at pitches outside of the strike zone. He has to do this because his 87-91 mph below-average fastball relies on deception and location. His 75-77 mph curveball is generally average and will flash above-average because of how well he can locate it. It is a slow, big breaker with good depth that he can backdoor to righthanded hitters or sweep inside to try to back them off the plate. It also sweeps away from lefties. His average, low-80s changeup can also flash above-average because it has solid deception and some late drop. Plus control and command are vital to Smeltzer’s success.
  
  THE FUTURE: Smeltzer’s ability to locate and durability make him a valuable No. 5 starter or long reliever. BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A cancer survivor, Smeltzer helped San Jacinto (Texas) JC to a national title in 2016 by striking out 20 in a 140-pitch complete game semifinal victory. Smeltzer moved back to the rotation after the Twins acquired him at the 2018 trade deadline in a deal that sent Brian Dozier to Los Angeles.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smeltzer works up and down and in and out, but he is looking to get hitters to swing and miss at pitches outside of the strike zone. He has to do this because his 87-91 mph below-average fastball relies on deception and location. His 75-77 mph curveball is generally average and will flash above-average because of how well he can locate it. It is a slow, big breaker with good depth that he can backdoor to righthanded hitters or sweep inside to try to back them off the plate. It also sweeps away from lefties. His average, low-80s changeup can also flash above-average because it has solid deception and some late drop. Plus control and command are vital to Smeltzer's success.
  
  THE FUTURE: Smeltzer's ability to locate and durability make him a valuable No. 5 starter or long reliever.