Chad Smith

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #459 prospect in 2016 draft
  Armed with a pitcher's body at 6-foot-4, 178 pounds, Smith was a 23rd-round pick of the Indians last year but spurned pro ball to transfer from Walters State (Tenn.) CC to Mississippi. The Rebels wound up pushing him out of their weekend rotation into mid-week work, as he attacked hitters with only one plus weapon. It's a good weapon, though, a fastball at 93-95 mph at its peak. His slider is his best secondary pitch but still earns fringe-average grades, while his changeup is still below-average.
• Ranked #340 prospect in 2015 draft
  Coming off a solid freshman year at Wallace State, Smith started the 2015 season well. But back and oblique injuries sidelined him in mid-April and he missed the rest of the season. When he's healthy, Smith throws his fastball 90-93 mph and can reach 95 mph. His slider is his primary secondary offering, and he'll also mix in a changeup. Smith's size (he's listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds) and control (he averaged 4.89 walks per nine innings this season) mean he's likely to end up as a reliever in pro ball. He is committed to Mississippi.