Sam
Smith

Projectable, 6-foot-5 195, 6-foot-5 190, Smith has a large frame with room for weight and strength gains. He throws from a ¾ slot with a loose, quick arm. He displayed occasional sink with his fastball that ranged 85-87. He shows feel for his breaking 67-69 as well as his changeup 72-74.  Both off-speed have solid definition with minimal change in arm speed. He maintains an upright delivery with length left in his stride. Smith looks the part and has the stuff to go with it. Future development could make him special with ceiling as a top of the rotation type guy at the next level.

10/21/18 - Large frame, 6-5, 185, Smith’s youthful appearance and big features indicate he is still growing. His length provides a big target at first base, but impinges first step quickness and hip flexibility when fielding groundballs.  That being stated, Smith is a coordinated, in sync player that in time will be provided the strength and stability to be a good fielder.  He displayed instincts for the position, stretching and picking balls in the dirt.  He showed the ability to throw from different angles to second base and across the diamond, doing so accurately.  At the plate, he is imposing. He stands tall, with hands just below rear shoulder.  He employs a lower half load, minimizing hand movement and striding closed, with limited separation.  In spite of lack of separation, he has quick hands and maintains leverage power.  He made consistent hard contact.  Starting from the third base side of the rubber, Smith slides his pivot foot toward first base to start his delivery.  At leg lift, his knee is out away from his body which leads to a significant cross at foot plant.  His stride his short and body upright at release, lending to consistent down angle from his high ¾ slot.  Because of the cross in his delivery, it impairs his ability to get to his glove side but lends some delivery deception.  He possesses a plane over life FB that he throws down in the zone.  His curveball has good shape and there is feel for a changeup. Smith’s zone feel is impressive with all the length in his body.  He could be a high profile arm down the line.