Travis
Smith

Tall, strong and physical-bodied at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Smith profiles as a starting pitcher at the pro level with good arm action and a repeatable delivery. An average athlete, Smith excelled early in the game, punching out four of the first six batters. He touched 97 one time in the first, before settling into the 94-96 range until the sixth when 92-93 was the juice he had left on a wet overcast day. There is some weight to his heater that he effectively moved in/out, while keeping down in the zone. The development and use of a riding four-seamer to his arsenal could be a weapon to also go above bats, on occasion. His higher spin 86-87 mph slider at 2500 rpm flashed plus at times and his cutter was a strong offering at 88-91. His fourth pitch, and one that has a chance to become pro average in the future, was an upper-80s change spinning in the 1700s. Overall, Smith pounded the zone, showed good feel for four pitches and pitched much better than his stat line of 7 innings, 4 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts on 104 pitches. At this point in the season, Smith slots into the third round on my draft board.

Smith, a Kentucky recruit, battled through some slot inconsistency for an effectively-wild four innings that produced seven strikeouts and three walks. It is easy to dream on the 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame, and though he was not at his sharpest in the first outing of his fall, there was still plenty to like. Getting solid push off the back side to work down the mound, Smith’s quick arm delivers out of a near ¾ slot, and the fastball sat 87-91 (2177 RPM avg.) with some ride and run through the zone. The hand placement and spin efficiency was the biggest inconsistency in this viewing, which is natural given his long limbs and it being the first outing of the fall. With spin rates on the fastball up as high as 2357 RPM, Smith’s upside is promising, especially given his ability to spin the breaking ball. Taking a more slurve-like shape, he spun the breaking ball at 76-78 (2710 RPM) with confidence and tight spin. Though he did not command the pitch, the upside as a swing-and-miss offering is clearly there. Perhaps the most exciting part of Smith’s outing was the changeup (85 mph) that he flashed which including fading life to the arm side, and was thrown for strikes. The three-pitch mix, projectable frame, and especially his ability to compete without his best stuff (he didn’t give up a run in those four innings) is sure to have scouts intrigued moving forward, especially after a strong summer.
Stats: 4.0, 7K-3BB, 2H, 0R

Delivery Notes: A must watch athlete on the mound with an effortless delivery that still has room to improve. Very powerful lower half with a ¾ arm slot that is overpowering.
Fastball: 88-91mph with a 1900-2100rpm spin rate with high velocity in the zone.
Curveball: 72-74mph with a 2200-2400rpm spin rate with 11/5 movement power hammer bites in zone.
Changeup: 80-82mph has split action w/good drop
Slider: 77-78mph with near 9-3 movement that takes off thru zone

Max FB: 86, FB: 84-86, CB: 70-73

Max FB: 83, FB: 80-83, CB: 61-65, CH: 66-70
6-foot-2, 160-pound RHP with big ceiling. Just a freshman, projects for significant velocity gains. Good rhythm and tempo in delivery generates easy velocity. Works through a high-3/4 slot with longer arm action. Shows flashes of quickness in arm. Good command of 3 pitches for age. Fastball mostly straight at the bottom of the zone. Proper shape and rotation on 11/5 curveball. Gradual break right now but has good feel and will continue to develop. Has feel for changeup. Smith is one to really follow in the 2021 class. Has potential to be one of the top arms in the class.

60 Time: 8.03, Position Velocity:  IF-80, Exit Velocity: 75

Max FB: 81, FB: 78-80, CB: 64-67, CH: 71-74
60 Time: 8.25, Position Velocity:  IF-77, Exit Velocity: 72