Nick
Smith

Verbally committed to Michigan State.

Smith is among the top uncommitted right-handers in the state, and he dazzled through five one-hit innings against Team Heat. He allowed just one hit and one walk and punched out 10 of the 18 batters he faced in all. Smith was effective for attacking the zone with his hard, heavy fastball with was especially live through the strike zone, sitting 86-89 mph, touching one 90 mph early on. He backed up his fastball with a swing-and-miss slider, 76-77 mph, that worked off a 10/4 plane with bite. Smith is firmly among the most intriguing right-handed arms left uncommitted in the state’s 2020 class.

Positional Profile: RHP/1B 
Body: 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. Large frame, strong durable build.
Delivery: Regular effort, high front side, in line to squared landing, closed toe. 
Arm Action: RH. Long draw, over the top slot.
FB: T89, 87-87 mph. Straight four seam type.
CB: 69-72 mph. 12/6 type, occasionally showed better feel.
SL: 74-77 mph. 10/4 actions, separates from CB, firmer and occasionally tighter.
CH: 73-75 mph. Played down, occasional decel.

Body: 6-foot-3, 225-pounds. Large frame, strong durable build.
Positional Profile: RHP/1B 
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60. 
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, stays quiet, short stride, smooth load and stays balanced. Level path created with bat strength, hits in rhythm with gap to gap approach.
Power: 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Above average power, hard contact, jumps the baseball with intent.
Defense: Natural actions, showed feel around the bag and confident hands.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Short over the top slot, accurate and carries, plus arm strength for the position at 1B.

3/11/18 - 6-foot-2, 210-pound two-way player, thick strong build for age, large lower half. Projects best on the mound, above average arm strength, works out of high ¾ slot, long and loose. Delivery has direction, lands closed, large build gets momentum down the hill. Gets on top of fastball, showed heavy run at times, 81-82 mph, touched 83 mph. Curveball has gradual action 10/4 shape, near fastball arm speed, 66-68 mph. Straight changeup, showed feel, 72-73 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup with leg kick trigger. Tall through contact on firm front side at times, path is short and level. Bat strength present, 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed similar arm strength across the diamond, 81 mph, hands play average, solid target at position. 8.66 runner in the 60.

7/14/17 - 6-foot-2, 205-pound, extra-large, two-way prospect. On the mound, loose arm action out of a high ¾ slot and easy effort in delivery. Fastball comes out of the hand clean and easy, occasional arm-side-run, sat 77-81 mph. Showed good feel for curveball, worked 10/4, good depth, 63-64 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, quiet, balanced setup. Stays short to the ball with bat strength. Lined out hard to center field.

3/12/17 - 6-foot-2, 190-pound two-way player, large frame and build for age. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, on time, in rhythm. Showed bat strength, easy pop at times, loose hands, 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands played around the bag, 8.61 runner in the 60. Arm played at 77 mph across the diamond, long action and accurate.