Dwight Smith Stats & Scouting Report

AB	265
AVG	.302
OBP	.413
SLG	.502
HR	11

Full name Dwight Smith Jr.
Born 10/26/1992 in Peachtree City, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Mcintosh
Debut 05/18/2017
Drafted in the C-A round (53rd overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 (signed for $800,000).

View Draft Report

Smith is the son of the big league outfielder of the same name. Junior has tools and a game that resemble his father significantly. His best tool is his bat, as he owns a pure stroke that ranks among the best in the draft class. He features a prominent leg kick at the plate, yet always seems to be on time and gets his bat into the hitting zone for a long time. Smith has a bit less speed than his dad and may wind up a below-average runner when it's all said and done, pushing him from center field to a corner. He has enough arm strength to make right field a possibility, but a move to a corner will put more pressure on his bat. He has solid power and projects to have average raw power. He's committed to Georgia Tech.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Smith's father Dwight Sr. spent parts of eight seasons in the majors, finishing second in the National League rookie of the year race with the Cubs in 1989. Dwight Jr. had his best season as a pro in 2014 at high Class A Dunedin, when it seemed his above-average hitting ability was allowing his power to come through. Smith has to hit, because his other tools are all modest. He's just an average runner and defender who fits best in left field thanks to a fringe-average arm, though he remains capable of filling in as a center fielder. That gives him the potential to be a fourth outfielder, his saving grace if he doesn't pick it up offensively. Smith generally controls the strike zone and stays short to the ball, traits that should help him handle lefthanders and thrive against righthanders. That didn't happen in 2015, when hit just .265 with seven home runs at Double-A New Hampshire, albeit with strong walk and strikeout rates. He doesn't have great raw power and uses a gap-to-gap approach. Left off the 40-man roster and thus exposed to the Rule 5 draft, Smith probably will move to Triple-A Buffalo in 2016.
The son of the former major leaguer, Smith lacks a true plus tool and will have to perform at every level. His advanced bat and secondary skills could allow him to become a regular, especially considering the lower offensive standards of this era. Smith was one of the top offensive performers in 2014 in the high Class A Florida State League, tying for the league lead in extra-base hits (48) and triples (8) while ranking second in total bases (214). His lefthanded swing features a high leg kick and high load, but he has a quick, compact and direct stroke conducive to line drives while working inside the ball well and using the opposite field. He has a strong understanding of the strike zone and feel for making adjustments. He has average pull-side power but likely will produce more doubles than home runs. Smith, who has seen most of his time in center field, has average speed and solid instincts but probably will end up on a corner, with his fringe-average arm making left field likely. He'll move up to Double-A New Hampshire for 2015.
Smith, whose father of the same name had an eight-year big league career, faces a tough profile as a corner outfielder without plus power, but his natural feel to hit, potentially above-average hit tool and plate discipline could give him high walk rates that overcome his lack of over-the-fence power. The lefthanded hitter has supreme hand-eye coordination and the most consistent swing in the organization. His compact swing produces hard contact and line drives to all fields. He commands the strike zone and has advanced pitch recognition. Although he has a strong, compact build, Smith's line-drive oriented swing path limits his power potential, which likely tops out around 10-12 home runs a year, but he projects to hit 30 or more doubles. His average speed and instincts could allow him to play center in a pinch, but he really fits better in a corner. His arm, which was below-average as an amateur, has improved to average and will work best in left at the highest levels. His speed should enable double-digit steals annually, and he stole bases efficiently (83 percent success rate) in 2013. Smith, who will likely start 2014 at high Class A Dunedin, will have to hit at every level but could become an everyday regular.
Scouts lauded the son of the former big leaguer as one of the best high school bats in the 2011 draft. The Blue Jays swayed him from a commitment to Georgia Tech by taking him 53rd overall and paying him $800,000. He signed too late to debut in 2011, and his performance last summer didn't live up to his scouting reports. While his .212/.279/.315 batting line raised concerns, the Blue Jays note that Smith was just 19 and that he didn't struggle to make contact. He has a simple swing that allows him to consistently make hard contact. He has the bat speed to generate solid power, and he could take off once he tones down a high leg kick that can hinder his timing. Smith saw time in both center and left field in 2012, but his solid speed and below-average arm make him a better fit in left. That would put more demands on his bat, and he'll show more about how well he can meet them when he gets to low Class A this year. Toronto gave him a look at second base in instructional league and could revisit that in the future.
The son of the former major league outfielder of the same name, Dwight Jr. was one of the best pure high school bats in the 2011 draft class. A Georgia Tech recruit, he bypassed college to sign with Toronto for $800,000 as the 53rd overall selection. Like many of the Blue Jays' high picks, he signed too late to make his pro debut. Smith has a low-maintenance swing that allows him to keep his bat in the hitting zone for a long time, and he generates exceptional bat speed. He uses a leg kick but benefits from a major league pedigree and has a knack for timing it properly. He uses the entire field well and can drive the ball in the gaps, showing average present power. An average runner, Smith shows good instincts in the outfield. He runs balls down and will have every opportunity to stick in center field. He has some arm strength, though if he has to move it likely will be to left field, where there would be more pressure on his bat. Smith will begin 2012 in extended spring training, but if his advanced bat translates to the pro game, he could move faster than the typical high school draft pick.

Minor League Top Prospects

Smith resembles fellow FSL outfielders Brandon Nimmo and Billy McKinney as a potential tweener profile who nonetheless can hit. All three have age on their side. Smith also has big league genes as the son of the former Cubs and Braves outfielder of the same name. Scouts who saw Smith were mixed on his defense in center field, and his 4.4-second times to first base mark him as merely an average runner. Others see him as a potential plus center fielder thanks to his savvy, reads and jumps, though he's certainly far behind fellow Dunedin center fielder Dalton Pompey defensively. Smith's bat is the source of his prospect luster. He has a good eye at the plate, fights off pitcher's pitches and lashes line drives when he gets a mistake. He's developed average over-the-fence power and has a feel for the barrel. Smith's confidence rose as he spent the whole season at the level. He may have enough bat for left field if he proves shy of handling center.

Career Transactions

LF Dwight Smith Jr. assigned to Charros de Jalisco.
Charleston Dirty Birds activated LF Dwight Smith Jr. from the temporarily inactive list.
Charleston Dirty Birds placed LF Dwight Smith Jr. on the temporarily inactive list.
Charleston Dirty Birds signed free agent LF Dwight Smith Jr..