1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Riley Smith's early baseball journey began in his hometown, progressing through high school and college before he was drafted into professional baseball.
1.1. Youth and High School
Smith attended Hudson High School in Lufkin, Texas. He was eligible for the MLB draft in 2013, but went undrafted out of high school.
1.2. College Career and Draft
Following high school, Smith enrolled at San Jacinto College for two years. In 2014, he recorded a 6-2 win-loss record with a 2.30 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 70 innings pitched. The following year, 2015, he improved to a 7-2 record with a 2.96 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 75 innings, helping the San Jacinto Gators reach the NJCAA World Series.
After his successful tenure at San Jacinto, Smith was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 31st round (937th overall) of the 2015 MLB draft. However, he chose not to sign with the Pirates and instead transferred to Louisiana State University for the 2016 season. At Louisiana State, Smith posted a 2-1 record with a 7.22 ERA over 32 innings. In the 2016 MLB draft, he was again drafted, this time by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 24th round, as the 719th overall selection, and subsequently signed with the team.
2. Professional Career
Riley Smith's professional career began in 2016 and included several years within the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, followed by engagements with various other teams across different leagues.
2.1. Arizona Diamondbacks
Smith commenced his professional career in 2016 with the Hillsboro Hops, where he achieved a 2-0 record with a 2.51 ERA over 32 innings. In 2017, he split his time between the A-level Hillsboro Hops and the A-level Kane County Cougars, accumulating a combined 7-4 record with a 3.07 ERA over 105 and two-thirds innings. He spent the 2018 season with the A+-level Visalia Rawhide, finishing with an 8-6 record, a 3.57 ERA, and 148 strikeouts over 151 innings.
The 2019 season saw Smith playing for the AA-level Jackson Generals and the AAA-level Reno Aces. Across both teams, he made 25 starts, recording a combined 6-6 record with a 4.43 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 133 and one-third innings. To protect him from the Rule 5 draft, the Diamondbacks added Smith to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2019.
Smith received his first promotion to Major League Baseball on August 24, 2020, making his MLB debut on August 26 against the Colorado Rockies. In six appearances for the Diamondbacks during the 2020 season, he posted a 1-0 record with an impressive 1.47 ERA over 18 and one-third innings. In 2021, Smith appeared in 24 games for Arizona, including 6 starts, but struggled, recording a 6.01 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 67 and one-third innings. Following the 2021 season, on November 19, 2021, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster. The Diamondbacks organization released Smith on April 12, 2022.
2.2. Post-Diamondbacks Career
After his departure from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Riley Smith continued his professional baseball career, signing with teams in both independent leagues and other Major League organizations.
2.2.1. Wild Health Genomes
On May 2, 2022, Smith signed with the Wild Health Genomes, an independent professional baseball team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
2.2.2. Colorado Rockies
Just one week after signing with the Wild Health Genomes, on May 9, 2022, the Colorado Rockies signed Smith to a minor league deal. He made 19 appearances, including 17 starts, for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. During his time with the Isotopes, he struggled, posting a 4-7 record with an 8.06 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 92 and two-thirds innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.
2.2.3. Cleburne Railroaders
On February 17, 2023, Smith initially signed with the Bravos de León of the Mexican League. However, before the Mexican League season began, he signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball on April 5, 2023. Smith made eight starts for the Railroaders, achieving a 3-4 record with a 5.73 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 44.0 innings. He was released by the Railroaders on June 20, 2023.
2.2.4. Cleveland Guardians
On June 23, 2023, Riley Smith signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians organization. He made two appearances for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, pitching 5.0 innings. During this brief stint, he allowed 13 runs (11 earned) on 12 hits and 12 walks, while recording only two strikeouts.
3. Major League Statistics
Riley Smith's career pitching statistics in Major League Baseball are summarized in the table below:
| Year | Team | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | W | L | HLD | BS | PCT | BF | IP | H | HR | BB | HBP | WP | K | BK | R | ER | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ARI | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 70 | 18.1 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1.47 | 1.09 |
| 2021 | ARI | 24 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .200 | 301 | 67.1 | 86 | 10 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 46 | 45 | 6.01 | 1.50 |
| MLB: 2 years | 30 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .429 | 371 | 85.2 | 101 | 11 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 54 | 0 | 49 | 48 | 5.04 | 1.41 | |
4. Uniform Number
During his Major League career, Riley Smith wore the uniform number 46 from 2020 to 2021.
5. Retirement
On July 3, 2023, Riley Smith officially retired from professional baseball, concluding his career with the Cleveland Guardians organization.
6. External links
- [https://www.mlb.com/player/riley-smith-642092 Riley Smith at MLB.com]
- [https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/40363 Riley Smith at ESPN.com]
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithri01.shtml Riley Smith at Baseball-Reference.com]
- [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/riley-smith/19826/stats Riley Smith at FanGraphs]
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smith-001ril Riley Smith at Baseball-Reference (Minors)]
- [http://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=210240535 LSU Tigers bio]
- [https://twitter.com/rileywade2013 Riley Wade Smith on Twitter]