Dan Smith
| IP | 348 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.595 |
| WHIP | 1.388 |
| BB/9 | 4.5 |
| SO/9 | 9 |
- Full name Daniel B. Smith
- Born 09/09/1983 in Hagerstown, MD
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Cypress Lake
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Undrafted out of high school in 2002 and signed as a free agent in 2003, Smith quietly has made rapid progress. He reached Double-A in 2006 and posted a 1.63 ERA when the Braves moved him into the rotation on a full-time basis in August. Smith's fastball velocity has increased every season since he signed. His four-seamer sat in the low 90s last year, and he continued to throw it on a downhill angle to the plate. He also has a solid changeup with consistent fade. To continue to progress as a starter, Smith will have to improve the command and consistency of his breaking ball. If not, he still could serve as a reliever in the majors, though he performed better while pitching in the rotation in 2006. He'll receive a long look during spring training and should spend the year knocking on the door in Triple- A if he doesn't make the Braves.
