Bud Smith

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #1 prospect in 2001
  Smith didn't come out of nowhere--he was No. 13 on the Cardinals prospect list last year--but his degree of success in 2000 was a surprise to everyone. He opened the season at Double-A Arkansas and was dominant in the Texas League, earning a promotion to Memphis and serving as the Redbirds' ace at age 20 as the team went to the Triple-A World Series. Smith pitched two seven-inning no-hitters in Arkansas, finished tied for the minor league lead in wins with 17 and was the Texas League pitcher of the year. Double-A batters had just a .213 average against him, and Triple-A batters fared even worse, hitting .206. Smith was a good outfielder at St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, Calif., where he broke some of Nomar Garciaparra's batting records. He became strictly a pitcher when he went to Los Angeles Harbor Junior College. To say Smith is poised doesn't do him justice. He's unflappable on the mound and always thinks a step ahead of batters. He's like Rick Ankiel with his advanced approach, good curveball and excellent changeup, though his fastball is a few ticks slower. But he might have a better feel for pitching, which earns the inevitable comparison to Tom Glavine. The Cardinals weren't even sure they'd put Smith in the Arkansas rotation last year, but he showed in spring training he was ready to do something special. As his 2000 walk numbers show, he also has developed plus command. He's a good athlete and a good fielder. On pure velocity, Smith's fastball is below average, though he worked out in the offseason in hopes of adding to it. His listed height and weight are generous, and he'll never be at the front of a rotation. But he knows his limitations and pitches to his strengths. The Cardinals plan to start Smith back in Triple-A to open the season, though they have opened their minds to let him move at whatever pace he dictates. They hope he'll become something of a cross between Ankiel and Jamie Moyer and occupy a spot in the middle of their rotation for years. It would be a surprise if he doesn't contribute in St. Louis at some point in 2001.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #4 prospect in 2001
  Smith never seems to get the ink of other pitching prospects--even Rick Ankiel drew more attention for his disastrous season--and splitting the season between Memphis and St. Louis meant he didn't get his due in either place. His big league no-hitter should go a long way toward rectifying that situation and establish him as one of the best young lefthanders in the game. Managers were impressed with Smith's approach more than his stuff. He has a slightly below-average fastball that can reach the high 80s, but he makes up for it with his curveball and changeup. He also has above-average command and a great understanding of how to keep hitters off balance.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #3 prospect in 2000
  The Texas League pitcher of the year led the league in complete games (three), shutouts (three) and no-hitters, throwing two in the space of five weeks. "He's beyond his years when it comes to composure," Arkansas pitching coach Dave LaPoint said. While no one is especially overwhelmed by Smith’s velocity, his ability to make hitters hit his pitch is undeniable. And it’s not like his stuff is second-rate. He throws 89 mph and makes his fastball more effective by spotting it well and working inside. His changeup is his best pitch, and his curveball also gets the job done. "He just gets hitters out and that's what it's all about," said Burt Hooton, who began the season as Round Rock’s pitching coach before getting promoted to Houston. "He's got quality pitches but it's what he does with them that is impressive."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #39 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The Texas League pitcher of the year led the league in complete games (three), shutouts (three) and no-hitters, throwing two in the space of five weeks. "He's beyond his years when it comes to composure," Arkansas pitching coach Dave LaPoint said. While no one is especially overwhelmed by Smith’s velocity, his ability to make hitters hit his pitch is undeniable. And it’s not like his stuff is second-rate. He throws 89 mph and makes his fastball more effective by spotting it well and working inside. His changeup is his best pitch, and his curveball also gets the job done. "He just gets hitters out and that's what it's all about," said Burt Hooton, who began the season as Round Rock’s pitching coach before getting promoted to Houston. "He's got quality pitches but it's what he does with them that is impressive."