Kevan Smith
| AB | 780 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .259 |
| OBP | .312 |
| SLG | .362 |
| HR | 13 |
- Full name Kevan Alan Smith
- Born 06/28/1988 in Pittsburgh, PA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Pittsburgh
- Debut 09/01/2016
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Drafted in the 7th round (231st overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2011 (signed for $60,000).
View Draft Report
Smith provides a little more value than other Pennsylvania college bats this year because he's a catcher. He has a football background and is a strong, physical player whose power trumps his hitting despite leading the team with a .406 average in 192 at-bats. He receives well enough and could profile well as a backup.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The White Sox haven't drafted and developed a big league catcher since they spent high draft picks in the early 1990s on Mark Johnson (1994, first round) and Josh Paul (1996, second), neither of whom hit enough to be true regulars. Smith has a similar ceiling, but his makeup might allow him to coax a bit more out of his tools. The former University of Pittsburgh quarterback started as a freshman but wound up focusing on baseball thanks in part to injuries. Smith has proved durable at baseball's most demanding position, with a big, physical frame and enough athleticism to turn himself into a solid-average defender. He threw out 33 percent of basestealers at Double-A Birmingham in 2014, with his quick transfer helping his average arm play up. His leadership skills translate well. He relies on strength and savvy over bat speed at the plate. He'll compete with Rob Brantly, Adrian Nieto and Tyler Flowers for playing time in Chicago but likely will start the year at Triple-A Charlotte. -
Because he spent the first half of his college career as a quarterback at Pittsburgh--even starting as a freshman and breaking Dan Marino's school record with 202 passing yards in his debut--Smith was old when he signed as a redshirt senior in 2011, turning 23 two weeks after signing for $50,000 as a seventh-round pick. He helped Great Falls win the Pioneer League title in his first pro summer and homered twice for Winston-Salem in the Carolina League playoffs last year. Smith has the strength to drive the ball to all fields. His plus raw power stands out more than his hitting ability, because he gets too aggressive and chases pitches. Smith has good athleticism for his size, though he's raw behind the plate. He's ironing out his throwing and receiving and is making progress learning to call a game. He has average arm strength and erased 33 percent of basestealers in 2012. A slow runner, he could become a serious baseclogger as he gets older. Smith will advance to Double-A in 2013. He may never become a big league regular but could have value as an offensive-minded backup. -
Because at 23 he was quite old for Rookie ball, the White Sox expected Smith to get off to a flying start in Rookie ball after signing him for $60,000 as a seventh-round pick. He did even better than that, combining for a 1.074 OPS between the Appalachian and Pioneer leagues last summer. He hit .478 in the playoffs to help Great Falls win the Pioneer League championship. Smith recreated the success he once had on the gridiron, as he earned the starting quarterback job at Pitt as a redshirt freshman in 2007. He set a school record with 202 passing yards in his debut--surpassing even Dan Marino--but he battled arm injuries and fell out of favor with coaches, so he eventually traded in his shoulder pads for catcher's gear. Smith played three seasons of baseball and ranked second in the Big East Conference with a .397 average last spring. He has solid discipline and recognizes pitches well, so he should continue to hit for average. He also has power to all fields. The key for Smith will be how well he can develop as a catcher. He's more athletic and quicker than most backstops, but his lack of experience shows up in his throwing mechanics and his receiving. He has an average arm and threw out 34 percent of pro basestealers. Chicago is intrigued by Smith's maturity and willingness to learn, and could jump him to high Class A for his first full pro season.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Smith gave up football following Pittsburgh's 2009 season when the Panthers coaching staff suggested the fourth-string quarterback switch positions to fullback, tight end or linebacker. Free to concentrate on baseball, he hit .378 with 16 homers in 442 at-bats during the 2010-11 seasons, prompting Chicago to pop him in the seventh round in June and sign him for $60,000 as a fifth-year senior. Despite being 23, Smith is young in terms of baseball experience, particularly behind the plate. Because of this, the White Sox took things slowly, beginning him at Bristol, the lowest rung on their organizational ladder. To his credit, Smith had no trouble handling Appy League pitching, with more extra-base hits (18) than strikeouts (14) and a 1.222 OPS in 26 games. What Smith's swing lacks in fluidity or grace, he makes up for with brute strength, showing solid-average to plus power to all fields. He may lack the pure bat speed and coordination to hit for high averages. Defensively, Smith throws well and caught 33 percent of Appy basestealers who tested him, though his receiving skills need a lot of work. -
Smith originally went to Pittsburgh as a quarterback on a football scholarship before deciding to concentrate exclusively on baseball prior to the 2010 college season. He excelled for both Rookie-level teams in the White Sox system in his pro debut this summer, batting a combined .355/.448/.626 and ranking as the No. 20 prospect in the Appalachian League. Smith started 5-for-48 (.104) at Great Falls before finding his stroke and hitting .492 with 14 extra-base hits in his final 17 games. The barrage continued in the playoffs with Smith catching every game and hitting .478 with two homers, three doubles and eight RBIs in Great Falls' five-game march to the league title. Though he was 23 years old when the season ended, Smith's ceiling is higher than it appears because of his lack of baseball experience. He makes consistent contact, recognizes breaking-ball spin and hits with power to all fields. The White Sox believe Smith will refine his defensive game enough to profile at catcher because he's so athletic and motivated. He erased 35 percent of PL basestealers, showing average arm strength and solid footwork. He still needs to streamline his throwing mechanics and soften his receiving skills.
