Ethan Smith

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #425 prospect in 2021 draft
  Smith didn’t get a ton of usage in Vanderbilt’s pitching staff this spring, but he showed impressive strike-throwing ability out of the bullpen over 12.2 innings and nine appearances, while posting a 3.55 ERA. Smith struck out 18 batters (12.8 K/9) and walked just three (12.8 BB/9) while showcasing a four-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range, and he can get it up a few ticks higher than that at best, and he also mixed in a low-80s slider and upper-70s curveball and infrequently used a mid-80s changeup. Smith has pitched in a starting role for Vanderbilt in the past and might have the pitch mix and strike-throwing ability to get a chance to do it again at the next level, but his stuff seems to play better in a bullpen role.
• Ranked #188 prospect in 2020 draft
  One of the more polished prep pitchers in Tennessee in 2018, Smith made an impact at Vanderbilt as a freshman, pitching effectively out of the Commodores bullpen. In 2019, he led the team with a .150 opponent batting average. This year he moved into a weekday starter role and was just as effective. He went 3-0, 1.42 in 19 innings with 23 strikeouts. Smith’s stuff isn’t all that much more advanced than it was in high school. But it’s effective enough—he sits 90-94 mph as a starter with an average three-pitch mix that includes a slider and changeup. His slider will flash sporadically better than average. His command and control are fringe-average and will need to continue to get better. Smith has shown he can touch 97 mph in shorter relief outings. As a relatively advanced pitcher who understands how to pitch, Smith could hear his name called in the fourth or fifth round. But as a draft-eligible sophomore he also could opt to head back to Vanderbilt for another year.
• Ranked #210 prospect in 2018 draft
  Smith is a relatively polished high school righthander with enough fastball (90-93 mph), an average slider and advanced control for his age. He likes to mess with hitters' timing by varying the pace of his delivery and he's shown plenty of feel for setting up and staying ahead of hitters. However, the Vanderbilt signee doesn't have much projection left and at 19-years-old, he's old for the draft class. Scouts might prefer to wait two years and see how he fares at Vanderbilt before cutting him a big check.