Donnie Smith
| IP | 170 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.812 |
| WHIP | 1.3 |
| BB/9 | 2.7 |
| SO/9 | 7.2 |
- Full name Donnie R. Smith
- Born 01/14/1983 in Hagerstown, MD
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Old Dominion
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Drafted in the 4th round (120th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 (signed for $235,000).
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RHP Donnie Smith was making a late push to go in the first 10 rounds after throwing 94 mph this spring with a nasty slider. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was rated the top prospect in the Atlantic Collegiate League last summer, going 5-0, 0.66. In 41 innings he allowed three earned runs, striking out 60 while walking 12. He was named the league's outstanding pitcher and was the winning pitcher in the league's all-star game. He was 6-2, 2.03 this spring for Old Dominion--leading the Colonial Athletic Association in ERA--with 97 strikeouts and 23 walks in 80 innings, but he was tough to scout because he started and pitched out of the bullpen with no set schedule. Smith also has great makeup.
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It's hard to believe a college staff with two arms the quality of Justin Verlander (the No. 2 overall pick by Detroit last year) and Smith could have a losing record, but that's what happened to 26-28 Old Dominion in 2004. Smith led the Colonial Athletic Association with a 2.29 ERA and had been the top prospect in the Atlantic Collegiate League the previous summer, but he really got scouts' attention when he started hitting 93 mph and showing a nasty slider. It was tough to get a good read on him, though, because he alternated between starting and relieving with little rhyme or reason. Smith had a tired arm after signing for $235,000, so the Cardinals used him on long rest and in short outings until the end of the summer. While his numbers weren't great, he got into a rotation and routine, which was important because he's raw. His fastball could be a plus pitch but needs more movement. He also throws a changeup with room for improvement. He's a strike-throwing bulldog with strong makeup. How he looks in the spring will determine which Class A stop Smith will begin his first full season at.
