Blake Smith

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #28 prospect in 2013
  The Dodgers have toyed with the idea of putting Smith on the mound, but he has earned the right to keep hitting and playing the outfield. He was a two-way player at California, and his power potential prompted Los Angeles to sign him for $643,500 as the 56th overall pick in 2009. Reaching Double-A for the first time last season, he was hitting .298/.382/.480 at the all-star break but tailed off afterward. Smith did a better job of not leaking out on the front side in his swing last year, allowing him to stay through the ball and hit more to all fields. He whips his bat through the zone and should hit for at least average power, but he must make more consistent contact for his bat to play as an everyday regular. Smith was Chattanooga's primary right fielder last year and started a smattering of games in center. He has the tools for either spot. He's a solid runner whose speed plays up thanks to outstanding routes and jumps, and he has a strong arm. The Dodgers expect to get him some time in left field next season to increase his versatility. Smith wasn't added to the 40-man roster after the season despite his progress, but he should get a chance to move up to Triple-A in 2013.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #30 prospect in 2012
  Scouts viewed Smith as a prospect as both an outfielder and pitcher during his college career at California. He showed a plus fastball but was plagued by poor control on the mound, so the Dodgers made him a hitter after signing him for $643,500 as a 2009 second-round pick. He hit 19 homers in his first full pro season and topped that with 20 last year despite missing two months with a sports hernia. Smith has above-average raw power, thanks to his strength, bat speed and ability to load his hands well. He worked to close holes in his swing in 2011, though his aggressive, pull-oriented approach may prevent him from hitting for average. Smith is a fringy runner but a dependable outfielder. He threw 92-94 mph as a pitcher and has a well above-average arm in right field. Los Angeles won't have any reservations about putting Smith back on the mound should his development as a hitter stall, but he'll keep a bat in his hands and move up to Double-A in 2012.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #27 prospect in 2011
  Scouts were divided on Smith entering the 2009 draft. He showed promise as both a hitter and a pitcher during his time at California, and had an outstanding summer with USA Baseball's college national team in 2008. He had the tools for either role, but the Dodgers decided to make him an outfielder after signing him for $643,500. He rebounded from a difficult pro debut with a strong showing in low Class A last year, finishing fourth in the Midwest League in home runs. That power will drive Smith's career as a position player. He has the strength and bat speed to generate plus raw power, projecting as a potential 25-homer threat in the majors. Scouts question whether he'll hit enough, though. He struggles with plate discipline and tends pull off pitches. Smith threw 92-94 mph off the mound, giving him an easy plus arm as a right fielder. He's only a fringy runner, but he gets good reads and has enough range to be an average outfielder. Los Angeles hasn't abandoned the idea that Smith could make an intriguing pitching prospect, but they'll continue developing him as a hitter for now. With his power, he could be in for a big year as he moves up to the high Class A California League with the Dodgers' new Rancho Cucamonga affiliate.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #22 prospect in 2010
  Smith excelled as both a pitcher and an outfielder at California and for Team USA's college team, leading to split opinion among scouts as to what his future should be in pro ball. The Dodgers liked him more as a hitter and became even more convinced that he had more upside with the bat when he put on a power display during a predraft workout at Dodger Stadium. They drafted him in the second round last June and signed him for $643,500. However, Smith struggled mightily in his pro debut and looked overmatched, even in the Arizona League. Club officials believe he tried too hard to make an impression as a high draft pick, causing him to overswing and hook a lot of balls because of his impatience. Smith has a long stroke with some uppercut, which leaves him prone to strikeouts, but he also has the raw power to hit 25 or more homers a year in the major leagues. He has a chance to be an above-average right fielder because of his strong arm. He's a good athlete with average speed. If Smith flops as a hitter, the Dodgers always can try him on the mound. He has a 92-94 mph fastball and his curveball and changeup show flashes of being plus pitches as well. He has more pure stuff than polish, so he may be more of a reliever than a starter if he becomes a full-time pitcher. But Los Angeles isn't close to giving up on his bat, which they hope will show more signs of life this year in low Class A.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Scouts viewed Smith as a prospect as both an outfielder and pitcher during his college career at California. He showed a plus fastball but was plagued by poor control on the mound, so the Dodgers made him a hitter after signing him for $643,500 as a 2009 second-round pick. He hit 19 homers in his first full pro season and topped that with 20 last year despite missing two months with a sports hernia. Smith has above-average raw power, thanks to his strength, bat speed and ability to load his hands well. He worked to close holes in his swing in 2011, though his aggressive, pull-oriented approach may prevent him from hitting for average. Smith is a fringy runner but a dependable outfielder. He threw 92-94 mph as a pitcher and has a well above-average arm in right field. Los Angeles won't have any reservations about putting Smith back on the mound should his development as a hitter stall, but he'll keep a bat in his hands and move up to Double-A in 2012.