CLASS OF 2026

Profile: Athletic, 6-foot, 170 pounder. Toolset has elevated with 6.60 60-yard dash being his best tool at the moment aside from the glove, though followed closely by the 91 infield arm shown at the All-State. He has the footspeed, actions, and arm strength to profile as a next-level shortstop. The right-handed bat works with present above average bat speed (74 mph) and his exit peaked at 100 mph. There is at least average raw power developed, along with some barrel feel with fast, accurate hands. Actions - Offense: Starts in taller, athletic stance w barrel set perpendicular to shoulder plane. Subtle sink as barrel lifts to counter a small stride. Loose swing plane works short & on-top with line drive ball flights through the middle. Balanced & athletic throughout. Defense: Plays fast. Attacks with aggressive feet & fundamental actions to pair. Soft hands w very good glove2hand. Loose, whippy arm works from multiple slots with future plus strength. Summation: Smith added quality strength to an athletic frame this offseason & it paid serious dividends at this event with one of the louder overall toolsets of any infielder in the class. He has a real shot to stick at short & that is what I have always liked him for. There is an aggressive but confident nature he takes to the middle infield and the arm ticking up reaffirms those projections. The strength has paid off most within the offensive profile. The used-to-be light bat has developed present average power now with above average projections seeming safe. There is hand-eye and zone control in my track record on this prospect that will be elevated by a now plus run time, and as even more strength gets added to the still-lean frame.

9/25/24

+ '26 SS Karson Smith (Guerin Catholic) was my favorite position player of the day. Offering an athletic build with wiry strength at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds - Smith burned an event-best 6.77 60-yard dash before taking a professional round of batting practice where he sprayed liners from gap-to-gap and flashed pull-side lift. I liked the rhythm he showed in the box, making a small hand load to create separation and balance as he moves forward with his leg lift stride. His hand path works direct, and there is developing barrel strength with exit velocities eclipsing 94 mph. Defensively, Smith shows off strong range with long limbs and quick lateral movements to go along with quality actions and above average arm strength (85 mph) that looks the part of a next-level, left-side infielder.

6/04/24

Karson Smith, Guerin Catholic (IN), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean, projectable build.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced setup with hands high and back to start. Big, early load into drive leg with a toe-tap timing mechanism and hover stride to follow. Hands work back in time with load. Head stays steady on the ball. Quick hands with some bat speed on an even plane. Line-drive approach hitter.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 313' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-82 mph. Short, quick arm action from an over the top slot. Can drop the slot when necessary.
Defense: Swift mover with soft hands. Developed ball to hand skills.
ATH: 6.98 runner in the 60.

3/03/24

Karson Smith, Guerin Catholic High School (IN), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 78.3 mph. 267' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-85 mph.
ATH: 6.92 runner in the 60.

6/13/23

Karson Smith, Guerin Catholic (IN), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Lean, athletic build
Hit: RHH. Starts in a balanced setup. Short leg lift stride w/ quiet hands during the load. Path work short to the baseball and gets to extension, hands are quick. Line drive type hitter w/ feel for the barrel.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 73 mph. 245' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-82 mph. Loose, short, & quick arm action from a H 3/4 slot.
Defense: Very good footwork - works downhill & shows quickness. Hands are soft, transfers quickly, & shows ability to quick release. Advanced body control. One of the top defenders at the event.
ATH: 7.12 runner in the 60. 1.65 in the 10 yard split.

6/07/22

Karson Smith, Guerin Catholic, 2026, IN

Position: SS/2B

Body: 5-foot-9, 130-pound lean build.

Hit: (RHH) Solid. Began in a tall stance with a slow smooth load, then used a leg kick. Developing bat speed. Good extension on his finish, loose upward swing. Gap to gap approach.

Power: 78 mph exit velocity, average 63.5 mph.

Defense: (IF) Soft hands, quick footwork, natural exchange. Athletic.

Arm: 76 mph infield velocity. Short arm action, ¾ slot.

Speed: 7.91 (60-yard).

Pitching: Capable. Feel delivery, some effort. High ¾ arm angle, some arm speed, clean moderate arm action. In line shoulders, lands soft, balanced finish.

FB: 74-75 mph. (Max spin 1926; Avg 1706). Some arm side accuracy.

CB: 64-67 mph. 11/5 shape. (Max spin 1977; Avg 1948).

CH: 67-71 mph. Down in the zone command.

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