Chris Smith
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Position:
RHP
Born:
8/19/88
Height:
6’2’’
Weight:
205
B/T:
R/R
Acquired:
Signed as a minor league free agent on August 1, 2015 (TOR). Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent January 23, 2013 (NYY).
Most Recent Stats at Time of Debut
| 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 19 1/3 innings split between Triple-A Buffalo and High-A Dunedin. Smith saved four games in six opportunities for Buffalo. |
Info & MLB Debut Date
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Recalled from Buffalo on June 27 when RHP Jason Grilli was designated for assignment. MLB Debut Date: 06/27/17 |
Debut Details
| June 27, in a 3-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Smith entered in the ninth inning and worked a scoreless frame, allowing only a base-hit to Craig Gentry. He threw 13 pitches – nine strikes – in his debut. Smith retired Paul Rickard to start the inning on a pop-up and then retired Paul Janish on a fly out before allowing Gentry’s single. Smith then induced a pop-up off the bat of Manny Machado to end the inning. |
Player Notes
| An undrafted free agent out of Kentucky Wesleyan, Smith traveled far and wide to get an opportunity to play professional baseball. A second baseman in college, Smith began his pro career in the independent Frontier League in 2010. He made the move to the mound in 2011 and remained in the independent leagues through the 2012 season. In 2013, Smith finally got an opportunity in affiliated baseball when he signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees after he pitched well in the winter Australian Baseball League during the 2012 offseason. Smith missed the entire 2013 season with injury but made his affiliated debut with Class A Charleston in 2014. He split that season with Charleston and High A Tampa. In 2015, Smith returned to Tampa. He was released on July 26 that year and quickly signed by the Toronto Blue Jays. After a short stint with High A Dunedin, Smith made his Double-A debut late that season. In 2016, Smith dominated for Double-A New Hampshire, posting a 1.89 ERA and a 76:21 SO:BB rate in 57 innings. He also saved 15 of 17 opportunities. Smith made his Triple-A debut late in the season and had his contract purchased by the Blue Jays on Sept. 27, 2016. He didn’t appear in a game for Toronto, however. In 2017, Smith began the season with Triple-A Buffalo but landed on the DL with an elbow injury after one appearance. He returned to the mound on May 13 and has been effective ever since. For his affiliated pro career, Smith has a 2.45 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 184 innings. |