Chris Smith - 5th Round: 170th Overall Pick

Chris Smith - OF 5th Round, 170th Overall Pick (Centennial HS) - Broke commitment to USC to sign with New York

Chris Smith
6'' 190 lbs
Bats: Left Handed
Throws: Left Handed
Position: Left Field - can also play 1st Base

A Geniune Good Kid
Chris Smith is one of those guys you want to see make it to majors, a guy who could be a role model for the fans and for teammates. In his high school days, Smith took on the role of mentor to his younger teammates, helping them on and off the field, as well as helping the general youth in Compton, California.

High School Days:
Note: No, this is not a mad stretch of typos
.708 average, 12 homers in 20 games, 1.361 slugging percentage, OPS: 2.105 You want more? He struck out just 3 times in 72 at bats. He also stole 24 bases out of 26 attempts.
He also played Quarterback for the football team and Point Guard for the basketball team - so he knows how to lead a team.

Summing up Smith
Great athleticism. Smith can and will run all over teams, stealing bases and working the hit and run. Obviously with those numbers, the kid can hit with some incredible power. Striking out only 3 times out of 72 at bats tells me he also is great with making contact, along with having the aforementioned pop. Smith is strong defensively, the best spot for him is in Left Field, but you have to love those Lefty OF's that can also play 1st Base.

GCL
Not really playing well up to date, but as I keep saying in previous posts and will continue to say, especially in high schoolers, but generally young players in their 1st MiLB season always seem to hit a wall, even in GCL. They are now pitching against not only the best former high school seniors, but keep in mind, Andrew Brackman, who was the Yankees 1st Round Pick last season and a college junior was headed there until they decided on surgery. So he is facing alot more talent then he ever has and he is really just getting his feet wet. That being said, he is hitting only .143, 8 RBIs, 1 stolen base, with 24 strikeouts. Also, one of the first to sign, he has had more time than most there to get acclamated.

My Take
I have heard the 5th Round was a reach on Smith and I didn't quite see that with the numbers he had in high school. However, that is an extremely bad start even if you take his age, experience, and surrounding talent into consideration. I wouldn't start calling it a bad pick yet, let's see how he responds after 1 year in the pros, since he is only 18 we can afford to do that here. As far as when to expect him in the majors, right now I'd say he would be in the minors at least until 2014 (Age 24-25), but with how poorly he is performing, I wouldn't be surprised if it took longer as he may need a 2nd year in GCL.

NEXT UP: 6th Round Pick BRETT MARSHALL (RHP) - be sure to check this one out, as he is one of the more highly regarded picks

Pinstriped As Always,
Laura