Ryan
Smith

Verbally committed to UIC.

Unsigned senior, currently ranked No. 47 in Illinois; arguably the top uncommitted 2021 in Illinois. Frame continues to add quality lean muscle; listed at a highly-athletic, 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Hit in the three-hole and started in left field before coming on to pitch later in the game. Impressed both at the plate and with his ceiling on the mound. At the plate, finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base. Right-handed hitter, above-average hand speed and strength at the plate. Barrel has length through the zone but consistently on time and was driving balls with authority. Took a first pitch curveball and barreled a ground ball through the left-side for a two-run single in his first at-bat. Also, smoked a line-drive back up the middle in his last at-bat of the day. Came out of the bullpen and threw the final two innings of the game. Despite mixed results, there is a lot to like on the mound. Quick, lively arm action, ball jumps out of the hand with seemingly more in the tank. Fastball, which sat 88-90 mph showed late life and finish through the zone; showed control, late running action with a tendency to miss up at times. Curveball showed much better sharpness than we have seen in the past. Works off an 11/5 plane with the ability to land for strikes. Occasional late depth and bite. High-follow 2021 unsigned senior. 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP; Currently the top-ranked uncommitted senior in Illinois.
Body: 6-2, 184-pounds. Athletic, live-bodied, upside frame.
Delivery: Tall, staggered start working off the left edge of the rubber; slow tempo side step, rocks in coiled, athletic balance point; full hip turn, closed shoulders. Dips, drops, and drives on line with level shoulders, soft/even landing, momentum carries him through to home.
Arm Action: RH. Draws down but compact arm circle, quick to high 3/4 release; loose, fast, athletic arm action.
FB: T89, 87-89 mph. Low-spin pitch with steep; slight tail, flashes some carry through the zone.
CB: 70-73 mph. Aggressive, thrown at arm speed; short, sharp bite averaging 2,310 rpm, per TrackMan.

Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup, smooth minimal load and long stride.  Loose, quick hands, level path and consistently worked the pull-side gap.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 24.20 mph max hand speed, per Blast Motion.
Arm: RH. INF - 91 mph. Lively, loose arm plays accurate with life and carry across the infield.
Defense: Soft hands, active feet, plays through the baseball, winds up on release at times.
Run: 7.3 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Level bat path, loose hands, occasional leverage and uses the middle of the field.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Short arm action, natural high 3/4 slot but can throw from multiple angles; throws carry.
Defense: Quick feet, easy range, steady hands, fields deep at times, clean release and comfortable on the move.
Run: 7.12 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Long lanky frame, projects well.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, smooth loading action, reverse toe tap into leg kick stride. Path has length, loose hands, flashed hard line drive contact.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Flashed pull side power.
Arm: RH. INF - 89 mph. Short over the top arm action, arm carried across the diamond, athletic arm action.
Defense: Athletic defender, showed body control, hands work out front, field athletic and plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Loose lively delivery, long levers creates whip action, big leg lift into squared landing, high front side.
Arm Action: RH. Long loose arm action, whippy arm creates arm speed.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Fastball plays mostly straight, showed life.
CB: 66-69 mph. Gradual action, near fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape and dropped for strikes.
CH: 69-72 mph. Sink action, played down in the zone.

Windy City got another stellar performance in their second game on Saturday, courtesy of Smith. He put together one of the top pitching performances of the tournament in his start against Indiana Landsharks, tossing a quick complete-game shutout while striking out 14. Smith works at a rapid pace and has a full arsenal, mixing in a couple different fastballs, two separate breaking balls, a changeup, and even a knuckleball. He has a live, loose arm that primarily sat in the 83-85 mph range, touching 87 mph twice in the third, but he would often opt to dial it back to generate more lateral movement and sink. It was a dominant look at a high-follow in the 2021 class.