Chris Smith
| IP | 41 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 6.585 |
| WHIP | 2 |
| BB/9 | 4.61 |
| SO/9 | 7.902 |
- Full name Christopher Smith
- Born 12/10/1979 in Wantagh, NY
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 222 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Cumberland
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Drafted in the 1st round (7th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2001 (signed for $2,175,000).
View Draft Report
As a sophomore right fielder, Smith hit .375-14-66 and was a key cog in Florida State's College World Series team. He also had the best pure arm on the team, touching 93 mph in four relief appearances, but focused on hitting because Seminoles coaches considered him their top athlete. Realizing he had a future on the mound, Smith asked for a spot in the club's 2001 rotation. When coach Mike Martin refused to give him more than an opportunity to win a job, Smith asked for his release. Martin wouldn't grant it, reducing Smith's options to NAIA schools. He wound up at Cumberland and showed an arm that ranked with Stanford's Mike Gosling's as the best among college lefthanders. Smith threw as hard as 94 mph and showed potential with a curveball and changeup. He also dominated as a DH/outfielder, batting .414-17-67 with 18 steals. As a position player, all five of his tools grade out as average or better. He could get drafted as an outfielder, but it's more likely he'll go in the middle of the first round as a pitcher.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Smith took a big risk in college, jumping from Florida State to Cumberland (Tenn.), an NAIA program, so he could prove himself as a pitcher. It worked out well, as he threw 94 mph and became the seventh overall pick in the 2001 draft. Not much has worked out since then, though, even as the Orioles took a cautious approach with him. After he signed for $2.175 million just a week after the 2001 draft, Smith was held back from pitching until the last 10 days of the season, when he threw two innings. He got into a regular throwing program in instructional league but reported weakness in his shoulder. Orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews examined Smith late in 2001, and an MRI didn't reveal any structural damage. A club official blamed the discomfort on mild tendinitis. After extended spring training, Smith made five starts in Rookie ball, where he couldn't find his usual velocity and his control was completely out of whack. Doctors finally found a labrum tear and performed surgery, and Smith is expected to be ready to pitch this season. If healthy, Smith has an exciting arm, but the injury has cost him much-needed development time as well as casting doubt on his future. His curveball, changeup and command all need plenty of work. -
Smith took a big risk after his sophomore season at Florida State in 2000. As the Seminoles' starting right fielder, he had hit .375-14-66. He also touched 93 mph in four relief appearances and asked for a spot in the rotation for 2001. Coach Mike Martin offered Smith only an opportunity to win a job, so Smith asked for his release to transfer. Martin declined, limiting Smith's options to NAIA schools. He chose Cumberland (Tenn.) and showed one of the best lefthanded arms in the college ranks, reaching 94 mph. He was projected as a mid-firstround pick, but the Orioles took him seventh overall because they liked him a lot and feared he'd be gone when they picked again at No. 19. He signed for $2.175 million just a week after the draft. He draws obvious comparisons to Mike Hampton, both for his bulldog approach and overall athleticism. He hit .414-17-67 at Cumberland and could have been drafted as an outfielder. His curveball and changeup show promise, but because he has pitched so little he will require a good deal of refinement. He could open 2002 in high Class A.
