Chris Smith (pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Michael Smith (born April 9, 1981 in Apple Valley
, California
) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who is currently a free agent. He is a 1999 graduate of Hesperia High School in Hesperia, California
, and attended the University of California, Riverside
.
. He also broke a school record with 127 strikeout
s and had a team-high eight complete game
s. He earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors after a 15-strikeout performance at University of California, Irvine
, and was named second team All-Big West.
in 4th Round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
and began his professional career playing for the Lowell Spinners
of the New York-Penn League. However, Smith missed most of the season after being injured in an ATV
accident.
By , Smith had worked his way up to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
and split the 2006 and seasons between Pawtucket and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
. He began the season with Pawtucket. On May 18, , the Red Sox called up Smith from Pawtucket to help out their bullpen
. On June 21, Smith made his debut against the St. Louis Cardinals
at Fenway Park
in the second inning with the bases loaded in relief of Daisuke Matsuzaka
. Smith recorded his first major league out
by striking out Rick Ankiel
on three straight changeup
s. He then gave up a grand slam
to Troy Glaus
for his first earned run
. During his debut, he ended up going four innings, allowing just the one run
, three hits
, striking out three and not walking
anyone.
Smith earned his first major league win
on June 24, 2008, pitching two scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks
in relief of starter Justin Masterson
. He was designated for assignment on October 17, and elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers. He later signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
with an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
to start the 2009 season; he was called up to Milwaukee on June 4 and optioned to Nashville on August 10. Smith was recalled on September 1 and finished the season with Milwaukee.
On January 27, 2010, Smith was designated for assignment
by the Milwaukee Brewers to make room on the roster for Joe Inglett
. He played the majority of the 2010 season with Nashville, but also played three games for Milwaukee. Smith led the Pacific Coast League
with 26 saves. He elected to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Apple Valley, California
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was in 2002.*On average, the coolest month is December.*The lowest recorded temperature was in 1949.*The most precipitation on average occurs in February.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is currently a free agent. He is a 1999 graduate of Hesperia High School in Hesperia, California
Hesperia, California
Hesperia is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is located in the Mojave Desert north of San Bernardino. The locals refer to the surrounding area as the High Desert...
, and attended the University of California, Riverside
University of California, Riverside
The University of California, Riverside, commonly known as UCR or UC Riverside, is a public research university and one of the ten general campuses of the University of California system. UCR is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the United...
.
College
While attending the University of California, Riverside, Smith posted a 9–8 record and a 2.91 ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He also broke a school record with 127 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and had a team-high eight complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s. He earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors after a 15-strikeout performance at University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
, and was named second team All-Big West.
Professional career
Smith was selected by Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in 4th Round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
and began his professional career playing for the Lowell Spinners
Lowell Spinners
The Lowell Spinners are a Short-Season A minor league baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.-History:Founded in 1996 after Clyde Smoll moved the Elmira Pioneers to Lowell, Massachusetts, the Spinners play in the New York - Penn League, which has a Short-Season A classification with 76 games a...
of the New York-Penn League. However, Smith missed most of the season after being injured in an ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
accident.
By , Smith had worked his way up to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
and split the 2006 and seasons between Pawtucket and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
. He began the season with Pawtucket. On May 18, , the Red Sox called up Smith from Pawtucket to help out their bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
. On June 21, Smith made his debut against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in the second inning with the bases loaded in relief of Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball in the United States. He previously played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. He was selected the MVP of the inaugural and the second World Baseball Classic, and is an Olympic bronze...
. Smith recorded his first major league out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
by striking out Rick Ankiel
Rick Ankiel
Richard Alexander Ankiel is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently with the Washington Nationals. He bats and throws left-handed....
on three straight changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
s. He then gave up a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
to Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
for his first earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
. During his debut, he ended up going four innings, allowing just the one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, striking out three and not walking
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
anyone.
Smith earned his first major league win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
on June 24, 2008, pitching two scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in relief of starter Justin Masterson
Justin Masterson
Justin Daniel Masterson is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians. Masterson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Masterson was rated as the 64th-best prospect going into that year's draft by...
. He was designated for assignment on October 17, and elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers. He later signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
with an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
to start the 2009 season; he was called up to Milwaukee on June 4 and optioned to Nashville on August 10. Smith was recalled on September 1 and finished the season with Milwaukee.
On January 27, 2010, Smith was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Milwaukee Brewers to make room on the roster for Joe Inglett
Joe Inglett
Joseph Steven Inglett is an American professional baseball utility player who is a free agent.-Cleveland Indians:He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 21, ....
. He played the majority of the 2010 season with Nashville, but also played three games for Milwaukee. Smith led the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
with 26 saves. He elected to become a free agent at the end of the season.
External links
- Soxprospects Biography and scouting report