Caleb Smith Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Caleb Anthony Smith
Born 07/28/1991 in Huntsville, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 207 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Sam Houston
Debut 07/17/2017
Drafted in the 14th round (434th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2013 (signed for $100,000).

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Smith is similar to Sam Houston State teammate Cody Dickson in that they're both lean lefthanders with plus fastballs and shaky control. They've led the Bearkats to back-to-back Southland Conference titles for the first time in the program's history. Smith (7-4, 2.84) had a better season than Dickson (9-4, 4.14), but scouts consider Dickson the better prospect because he has cleaner mechanics and a superior breaking ball. Smith gets credit for having the better changeup, a solid pitch that plays off his 89-94 mph fastball well. There's stiffness and effort to the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder's delivery, which makes it difficult for him to throw an effective slider or command his offerings on a consistent basis. He'll likely transition to the bullpen in pro ball.

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The Cubs' search for lefthanded relievers included snagging Smith in the Rule 5 draft. A 14th-round pick of the Yankees, Smith reached Triple-A for a spot-start in 2015 but shifted more to a relief role in 2016. He general sat in the upper-80s with his fastball as a starter and relied heavily on his changeup which earned plus grades. The move to the pen, however, coaxed more out of his fastball. While his change remains an out pitch, his fastball now has bumped 96 mph and sits in the 91-93 mph range. Scouts like how he competes with or without his best stuff. His fringy cutter-type slider makes it hard for him to combat lefthanded hitters; he was better against righthanded hitters (.668 OPS) than samesided ones (.837 OPS). The inability to option Smith to the minors may hinder Chicago's ability to keep him, as they use the shuttle to Triple-A regularly in their bullpen, but being a Rule 5 pick also helps his chances to beat out the likes of Brian Duensing or Jack Leathersich for a lefty spot in Joe Maddon's pen.

Smith is similar to Sam Houston State teammate Cody Dickson in that they're both lean lefthanders with plus fastballs and shaky control. They've led the Bearkats to back-to-back Southland Conference titles for the first time in the program's history. Smith (7-4, 2.84) had a better season than Dickson (9-4, 4.14), but scouts consider Dickson the better prospect because he has cleaner mechanics and a superior breaking ball. Smith gets credit for having the better changeup, a solid pitch that plays off his 89-94 mph fastball well. There's stiffness and effort to the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder's delivery, which makes it difficult for him to throw an effective slider or command his offerings on a consistent basis. He'll likely transition to the bullpen in pro ball.

LHP Caleb Smith roster status changed by Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians placed LHP Caleb Smith on the 7-day injured list.
Indianapolis Indians placed LHP Caleb Smith on the 7-day injured list.
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Caleb Smith from the 7-day injured list.
Indianapolis Indians placed LHP Caleb Smith on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 10, 2023.
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Caleb Smith.
LHP Caleb Smith assigned to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent LHP Caleb Smith to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LHP Caleb Smith roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.