Austin Smith Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Austin Nathaniel Smith
Born 07/09/1996 in Boynton Beach, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 250 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Park Vista Community
Drafted in the 2nd round (51st overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2015 (signed for $1,200,000).

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Smith has been a part of a lot of winning baseball during his senior year of high school. In the fall, he was a part of USA Baseball's national team that won the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in Mexico, during which he started a combined no-hitter against Guatemala. This spring, he continued his winning ways with Park Vista High School, which spent some time atop the Baseball America High School Top 25 rankings. Smith has also taken a step forward on the mound this year. He's gotten stronger, though there's still room for more strength gains in his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame. An uptick in velcocity has come with his added strength, and he's routinely hit 94-95 mph on radar guns this spring. He has an easy delivery that helps him fill up the zone with his fastball. His curveball has a chance to give him a second above-average offering and he is working to develop his changeup. His athleticism and advanced feel for pitching give scouts optimism that he'll be able to continue making improvements to his game as he gets more experience. Smith is a little older than many of the high school players in the class and will be 19 by the signing deadline. He is committed to Florida Atlantic.

Top Rankings

Smith had a successful season as an amateur in 2014, playing a key part on USA Baseball's national team that won the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in Mexico, during which he started a combined no-hitter against Guatemala. The Padres signed Smith for $1.2 million as their top pick (No. 51 overall) after they lost their first-round pick for signing free agent James Shields. Smith hails from the same Park Vista Community High program in Lake Worth, Fla., that also produced Padres' 2014 first-rounder Trea Turner. Smith has some projection left in his large frame and could end up throwing harder than his current 94-95 mph. He has a clean arm action, a good delivery and three pitches that have flashed at least average, with a fastball that projects to plus. Smith has advanced feel for his changeup which has a chance to be plus, while his breaking ball is the least advanced at this point. He has a natural ability to throw strikes. Smith is a physical pitcher and gets high marks for his bulldog demeanor. After a tough pro debut, Smith will build experience gradually. His could begin 2016 in extended spring training before heading to short-season Tri-City.

Smith has been a part of a lot of winning baseball during his senior year of high school. In the fall, he was a part of USA Baseball's national team that won the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in Mexico, during which he started a combined no-hitter against Guatemala. This spring, he continued his winning ways with Park Vista High School, which spent some time atop the Baseball America High School Top 25 rankings. Smith has also taken a step forward on the mound this year. He's gotten stronger, though there's still room for more strength gains in his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame. An uptick in velcocity has come with his added strength, and he's routinely hit 94-95 mph on radar guns this spring. He has an easy delivery that helps him fill up the zone with his fastball. His curveball has a chance to give him a second above-average offering and he is working to develop his changeup. His athleticism and advanced feel for pitching give scouts optimism that he'll be able to continue making improvements to his game as he gets more experience. Smith is a little older than many of the high school players in the class and will be 19 by the signing deadline. He is committed to Florida Atlantic.