Kevin Smith Stats & Scouting Report

IP	271
ERA	3.653
WHIP	1.391
BB/9	4.583
SO/9	10.196

Full name Kevin Patrick Smith
Born 05/13/1997 in Dunwoody, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Georgia
Drafted in the 7th round (200th overall) by the New York Mets in 2018 (signed for $222,300).

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A funky, 6-foot-5 lefthander, Smith has an interesting three pitch mix including a fastball in the upper 80s, a sharp slider and a fringe-average changeup. He's got a long arm action that adds to his deception and allows his otherwise vanilla stuff to play up. He posted a 3.17 ERA through 59.2 innings this spring splitting time between starting and relieving.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: Smith was the Mets’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2019, his first full season, and was part of a trade that sent him to the Orioles for reliever Miguel Castro the following summer. He dominated in six appearances at Double-A Bowie to begin 2021 before Triple-A proved challenging. Smith struggled with walks and home runs at Norfolk.

Scouting Report: When he was at his best at Bowie early in the season, Smith used a four-seam and two-seam fastball in the 91-92 mph range, though they backed up to around 90 mph late in the year. His slider has plus potential, and his changeup can be average, and the whole arsenal plays up at times because of the deception his crossbody delivery provides. That deception relies on him controlling the ball and throwing strikes, something he struggled badly with in Triple-A, with fewer than half of his pitches in the zone.

The Future: Smith was Rule 5 eligible this winter and was added to the 40-man roster, putting a tighter timeline on him figuring out his command issues as he’ll be needed in the major league mix come 2022. It’s possible he could be a No. 5 starter or middle reliever as he has the pitches to attack hitters at both sides of the plate.
TRACK RECORD: Smith made it to Double-A Binghamton by the end of his first full season in 2019 and was the Mets' minor league pitcher of the year. The Orioles acquired him at the 2020 trade deadline as the top player in the return for reliever Miguel Castro.

SCOUTING REPORT: Smith joins a well-stocked group of lefthanders without premium velocity in the Orioles' system, but he distinguishes himself by how he creates deception with a lower arm slot from his tall frame. He has both a two-seam and four-seam fastball around 90 mph that helps him attack lefties. His slider can be a plus pitch and he has an average but effective changeup. He throws everything with average control. The combination of Smith's deception and pitchability helped him strike out 10 batters per nine innings in his pro debut despite a lack of big velocity.

THE FUTURE: Smith profiles as a No. 5 starter with the pitches to be an effective reliever if needed. There should be plenty of opportunity in the Orioles' rotation soon.
TRACK RECORD: The Mets had a good feeling about Smith in 2018, when they drafted him in the seventh round and watched him dominate New York-Penn League competition with a 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings. He looked even better in 2019, when he reached Double-A in July of his full-season debut while striking out 10 and walking 3 per nine innings and allowing six home runs in 23 starts. He earned the Mets' minor league pitcher of the year award.

SCOUTING REPORT: The athletic, 6-foot-5 Smith has firm stuff but leans on deception and angle to succeed. He pitches at 90 mph from a slightly low three-quarters arm slot with plus arm speed and tailing life on his fastball. His low-80s slider features wide angle and high spin. The pitch is death on lefthanded hitters, who managed just .207 with three extra-base hits—all doubles—in 116 at-bats in 2019. Smith has developed a near-average changeup in pro ball.

THE FUTURE: Smith is one of the hardest workers and fiercest competitors in the system. He met the challenge of Double-A a year into his pro career and should be ready for Triple-A—and beyond—by the second half of 2020. He profiles as a No. 5-type starter or quality bullpen arm.
Track Record: Smith floated between starting and relieving in three years at Georgia, but the Mets see enough starter traits to envision the lefthander in that role in pro ball--at least initially. He cruised through the short-season New York-Penn League in his debut, recording an 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings while striking out 28, walking six and allowing just 12 hits.

Scouting Report: Smith doesn’t pitch with big stuff, but he knows how to get the most out of his three pitches and low arm slot. His 6-foot-5 stature, long arm action and plus extension in his delivery afford him deception that helps his stuff play up. Smith pitches at 88-92 mph with a high-spin fastball that runs in on the hands of lefthanded batters, while his big-breaking slider features late break as it sweeps across the strike zone. Same-side hitters managed to go just 2-for-24 (.083) against Smith in his pro debut. He also throws a fringy changeup on occasion.

The Future: Given his low arm slot, slider-oriented approach and early indicators against lefthanded batters, Smith might ultimately fit best as a matchup reliever. He has a chance to move quickly in that role.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Control in the New York Mets in 2020

Scouting Reports

Track Record: Smith was the Mets’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2019, his first full season, and was part of a trade that sent him to the Orioles for reliever Miguel Castro the following summer. He dominated in six appearances at Double-A Bowie to begin 2021 before Triple-A proved challenging. Smith struggled with walks and home runs at Norfolk.

Scouting Report: When he was at his best at Bowie early in the season, Smith used a four-seam and two-seam fastball in the 91-92 mph range, though they backed up to around 90 mph late in the year. His slider has plus potential, and his changeup can be average, and the whole arsenal plays up at times because of the deception his crossbody delivery provides. That deception relies on him controlling the ball and throwing strikes, something he struggled badly with in Triple-A, with fewer than half of his pitches in the zone.

The Future: Smith was Rule 5 eligible this winter and was added to the 40-man roster, putting a tighter timeline on him figuring out his command issues as he’ll be needed in the major league mix come 2022. It’s possible he could be a No. 5 starter or middle reliever as he has the pitches to attack hitters at both sides of the plate.
TRACK RECORD: Smith made it to Double-A Binghamton by the end of his first full season in 2019 and was the Mets' minor league pitcher of the year. The Orioles acquired him at the 2020 trade deadline as the top player in the return for reliever Miguel Castro.

SCOUTING REPORT: Smith joins a well-stocked group of lefthanders without premium velocity in the Orioles' system, but he distinguishes himself by how he creates deception with a lower arm slot from his tall frame. He has both a two-seam and four-seam fastball around 90 mph that helps him attack lefties. His slider can be a plus pitch and he has an average but effective changeup. He throws everything with average control. The combination of Smith's deception and pitchability helped him strike out 10 batters per nine innings in his pro debut despite a lack of big velocity.

THE FUTURE: Smith profiles as a No. 5 starter with the pitches to be an effective reliever if needed. There should be plenty of opportunity in the Orioles' rotation soon.
TRACK RECORD: Smith made it to Double-A Binghamton by the end of his first full season in 2019 and was the Mets' minor league pitcher of the year. The Orioles acquired him at the 2020 trade deadline as the top player in the return for reliever Miguel Castro.

SCOUTING REPORT: Smith joins a well-stocked group of lefthanders without premium velocity in the Orioles' system, but he distinguishes himself by how he creates deception with a lower arm slot from his tall frame. He has both a two-seam and four-seam fastball around 90 mph that helps him attack lefties. His slider can be a plus pitch and he has an average but effective changeup. He throws everything with average control. The combination of Smith's deception and pitchability helped him strike out 10 batters per nine innings in his pro debut despite a lack of big velocity.

THE FUTURE: Smith profiles as a No. 5 starter with the pitches to be an effective reliever if needed. There should be plenty of opportunity in the Orioles' rotation soon.
TRACK RECORD: Smith made it to Double-A Binghamton by the end of his first full season in 2019 and was the Mets' minor league pitcher of the year. The Orioles acquired him at the 2020 trade deadline as the top player in the return for reliever Miguel Castro.

SCOUTING REPORT: Smith joins a well-stocked group of lefthanders without premium velocity in the Orioles' system, but he distinguishes himself by how he creates deception with a lower arm slot from his tall frame. He has both a two-seam and four-seam fastball around 90 mph that helps him attack lefties. His slider can be a plus pitch and he has an average but effective changeup. He throws everything with average control. The combination of Smith's deception and pitchability helped him strike out 10 batters per nine innings in his pro debut despite a lack of big velocity.

THE FUTURE: Smith profiles as a No. 5 starter with the pitches to be an effective reliever if needed. There should be plenty of opportunity in the Orioles' rotation soon.
TRACK RECORD: The Mets had a good feeling about Smith in 2018, when they drafted him in the seventh round and watched him dominate New York-Penn League competition with a 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings. He looked even better in 2019, when he reached Double-A in July of his full-season debut while striking out 10 and walking 3 per nine innings and allowing six home runs in 23 starts. He earned the Mets’ minor league pitcher of the year award.

SCOUTING REPORT: The athletic, 6-foot-5 Smith has firm stuff but leans on deception and angle to succeed. He pitches at 90 mph from a slightly low three-quarters arm slot with plus arm speed and tailing life on his fastball. His low-80s slider features wide angle and high spin. The pitch is death on lefthanded hitters, who managed just .207 with three extra-base hits—all doubles—in 116 at-bats in 2019. Smith has developed a near-average changeup in pro ball.

THE FUTURE: Smith is one of the hardest workers and fiercest competitors in the system. He met the challenge of Double-A a year into his pro career and should be ready for Triple-A—and beyond—by the second half of 2020. He profiles as a No. 5-type starter or quality bullpen arm.
TRACK RECORD: The Mets had a good feeling about Smith in 2018, when they drafted him in the seventh round and watched him dominate New York-Penn League competition with a 0.76 ERA in 23.2 innings. He looked even better in 2019, when he reached Double-A in July of his full-season debut while striking out 10 and walking 3 per nine innings and allowing six home runs in 23 starts. He earned the Mets' minor league pitcher of the year award.

SCOUTING REPORT: The athletic, 6-foot-5 Smith has firm stuff but leans on deception and angle to succeed. He pitches at 90 mph from a slightly low three-quarters arm slot with plus arm speed and tailing life on his fastball. His low-80s slider features wide angle and high spin. The pitch is death on lefthanded hitters, who managed just .207 with three extra-base hits—all doubles—in 116 at-bats in 2019. Smith has developed a near-average changeup in pro ball.

THE FUTURE: Smith is one of the hardest workers and fiercest competitors in the system. He met the challenge of Double-A a year into his pro career and should be ready for Triple-A—and beyond—by the second half of 2020. He profiles as a No. 5-type starter or quality bullpen arm.