Aiden
Smith

Smith is one of my favorite movers in the state and has continously made positive strides in his development dating back to our first looks on him as an 8th grader. The highly-touted, uncommitted sophomore has now matured into wiry strength within his 6-foot-3, 175 pound frame and it has translated to louder, in-game stuff. Smith worked up to 91 mph on a four-seam heater with carry, settling at 88-90 in his 2.2 inning, rain-shortened stint. He also has the ability to sink the fastball at 87-88, and will show a short, mid-80s cutter to tunnel with the sinker. Smith can manipulate shape with spin, tossing a mid-to-upper 70s curveball with depth and feel to land, to go along with a tighter, low-80s slider with later break, a pitch that he uses to get chase later in counts. Aiden also has feel for a low-80s change, to round out a no-doubt, starter's mix. It speaks volumes to the overall feel he has to be able to throw 5-6 pitches for strikes at will, as he is one of the better strike-throwers in the class. Aiden moves down the mound with an athletic, drop-and-drive delivery, and his arm works freely to a high 3/4 release point. Smith is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect that is currently ranked as one of the top uncommitted right-handers in the sophomore class at the national level.

A highly-touted uncommitted prospect with elite movement patterns and athleticism (also a 6.78 runner) - Smith has showed well at multiple winter events with his overall stuff trending upwards compared to his outing at the Future Games in 2023. It's easy to dream on the wiry, athletic, 6-foot-3, 175 pound frame and Smith moves down the mound in a drop-and-drive fashion with controlled intent. Smith's frame & pitch-ability screams future-starter, and he showed improved velocity on a four-seam heater at 89-91 mph, spinning it at 2500 with nearly 17" of IVB, on average. He paired the four-seam with a sinking fastball at 87-88 mph, and he was able to average nearly 15" of arm-side, horizontal break with it. Smith showed a tightly-spun, 80-82 mph slider and an advanced changeup for the class at 81-83 mph. All four pitches have the potential to generate swings and misses, and the velocity should continue to trend in the right direction.

Position Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame w/ tons of upside.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup. Small leg kick type stride w/ a small, controlled hand load. Controlles weight throughout the loading process & stride. Short, direct bat path - levers create intriguing power potential.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 263' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-82 mph.OF-91 mph. Electric arm that work from a H 3/4 slot.
Defense: (OF) athletic footwork w/ soft hands that work out front. Twitchy exchange. (1B) - Quick feet moving off the bag. Shows soft hands w/ the ability to pick it.
Run: 7.23 runner in the 60.

Position Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 155-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame w/ tons of upside.
Delivery: Athletic delivery - gets to an athletic balance point w/ a drop and drive move down the slope. Slight open toe at landing, athletic finish. - one of the best '26 arms in attendance.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, clean arm action from a H 3/4 - OTT slot - arm has a chance to be electric
FB: T88, 85-87 mph. FB w/ life that he shows the ability to command. T2524, 2409 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. 11/5 shape T2283, 2198 average rpm.
SL: 73-76 mph. Wipeout at times w/ sharp action. T2494, 2423 average rpm.

Aiden Smith, Shelbyville HS, 2026, IN

Position: RHP/OF

Body: 5-foot-11, 140-pound lean projectable build.

Hit: (RHH) Projectable. Starts in a wide stance with a smooth load, then uses a short stride. Developing bat speed. Front foot finish, loose upward swing. Gap to gap approach. 

Power: 89.1 mph exit velocity, average 78.2 mph.

Defense:  (OF) Sure hands, athletic footwork, natural exchange. Solid. 

Arm: 81 mph outfield velocity. Loose arm action, an-over-the-top slot. 

Speed: 7.81 (60-yard).

Pitching: Projectable. Drop-and-drive delivery, some effort. Over-the-top arm angle, quick arm speed, long clean arm action. Tall balance point, in line shoulders, a clean balanced finish.

FB: 77-80 mph. (Max spin 2197;  Avg 1987). Feel accuracy, slight running action. 

CB: 63-65 mph. Gradual action, 11/5 shape. (Max spin 2169; Avg 2140). 

SL: 68-71 mph. Tight action. (Max spin 2321; Avg 2269).