Stephen Smitherman Stats & Scouting Report

AB	44
AVG	.159
OBP	.213
SLG	.273
HR	1

Full name Stephen Lydell Smitherman
Born 09/01/1978 in Mcalester, OK
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arkansas - Little Rock
Debut 07/01/2003
Drafted in the 23rd round (693rd overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2000.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

No Reds farmhand had a bigger 2003 than Smitherman, who led the Southern League in on-base percentage, played in the Futures Game and finished the year in the big leagues. So his 2004 season was a major disappointment, as he regressed offensively and was left off the 40-man roster. Pitchers tied up Smitherman inside and he consistently expanded his strike zone when behind in the count. He salvaged his season by making adjustments in the second half, showing more patience and started going the other way, relying on his above-average natural raw power rather than trying to pull everything. Smitherman profiles best as a platoon corner outfielder against lefthanders, and he hit .337 against them in 2004. He'll return to Triple-A to see if he can recapture his prior form.
Smitherman followed up a breakthrough 2002 campaign by leading the Double-A Southern League in on-base percentage and finishing second in slugging. He also hit the game-winning homer for the U.S. in the Futures Game. Unlike most aggressive power hitters, Smitherman has become more selective at the plate while maintaining his ability to drive the ball. His natural prowess to put the barrel on the ball has been consistently underrated. He runs well for a big man. Though he learned to lay off some balls out of the strike zone, Smitherman still has holes and can get tied up with hard stuff inside. He's also susceptible to breaking balls down and away, but he can punish fastballs. A diabetic, he suffered a scary episode in June when he had to be helped off the field. But he didn't miss any time. Smitherman struggled during a brief trip to the majors and never got back into a groove afterward. He'll have to prove himself in Triple-A in 2004, but already has exceeded expectations.
Smitherman was a 23rd-round find by area scout Jimmy Gonzales, who also signed Scott Williamson and four other players among the Reds' top 30: Dustin Moseley, Mark Schramek, Daylan Childress and Jesse Gutierrez. Gonzales saw something in Smitherman, who hit a disappointing .326-9-53 as an Arkansas-Little Rock senior and has transformed himself into a prospect with three productive seasons in the low minors. Despite playing his home games last year at high Class A Stockton's Billy Herbert Field, a graveyard for righthanded power hitters, Smitherman finished among the California League leaders in average, hits, doubles and RBIs. He was the MVP of the playoffs, batting .522 to lead the Ports to the championship. An impressive physical specimen, he hits from an open stance and dives into the plate with an aggressive approach. This often leaves him vulnerable to getting tied up by pitches in on his hands. When he closes up early, he drives the ball to all fields. He displays good strike-zone awareness at times but needs to do so more consistently. Smitherman is athletic and runs well for his size. Below-average arm strength will relegate him to left field, but he has improved his routes and ability to cut off ground balls. He's a diabetic but that hasn't limited him. To this point, the Reds have asked him to prove himself one level at a time, and he has done so. A good spring showing could earn him a trip to Triple-A.
Older than most of Cincinnati's outfield prospects, Smitherman is trying his best to make up for lost time. Fortunately for him, he's pretty good at hurrying. His speed, which is impressive for a man of his size, helped him lead the low Class A Midwest League in doubles in 2001. Displaying the aptitude to refine his game, Smitherman began using more of the field with Dayton, hitting balls to the gaps. He continued his development in the offseason by being named MVP in the Reds' instructional league program. Among the skills he tried to refine there was recognizing curveballs. He also could use more plate discipline. Defensively, Smitherman has a decent throwing arm but must work on taking better routes to balls. At 23, he'll probably be exposed to Double-A at some point this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Before his promotion to join a messy situation in Cincinnati, Smitherman enjoyed another excellent season. Managers rated him the SL's best power prospect, and he made better use of his pop by improving his plate discipline. He won the Futures Game for the U.S. team with a solo homer. Smitherman, who has overcome diabetes, has size, athleticism, strength and speed in his favor. The only thing he lacks is a strong arm, which relegates him to left field. His future is clouded by the Reds' crowded outfield picture, but he already has surpassed the original expectations for a 23rd-round pick.