| Joe Smith | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Smith with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-03-22)March 22, 1984 (age 41) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 1, 2007, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 2, 2022, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 55–34 |
| Earned run average | 3.14 |
| Strikeouts | 666 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joseph Michael Smith (born March 22, 1984) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Mets,Cleveland Indians,Los Angeles Angels,Chicago Cubs,Toronto Blue Jays,Houston Astros,Seattle Mariners, andMinnesota Twins. Smith attendedWright State University and was drafted by the Mets in the third round of the2006 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut in 2007.
Smith attendedAmelia High School inBatavia, Ohio. He was a three-yearvarsityletterman in baseball and an All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference honoree, Smith also pitched five years for the selectAmerican Amateur Baseball Congress Midland team in Cincinnati. Even though hislabrum surgery, he was dedicated to returning to baseball.[citation needed]
In college atWright State University, Smithredshirted for theWright State Raiders and played three years inHorizon League competition. Ultimately, Smith became Wright State'scloser during his junior and senior years, as he gained 4–6 miles per hour (6.4–9.7 km/h) on hisfastball after changing his delivery.[citation needed] In his senior season, he had 13saves and a 0.98earned run average (ERA). In three seasons Smith posted 22 saves, 145 strikeouts, and 39 walks. In 2005, he was the WSU team MVP and in 2006 he was awarded second-team All-Mideast Region, first-team Horizon League, Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, and WSU Most Valuable Male Athlete.[citation needed]
In 2004, Smith playedcollegiate summer baseball with theNew England Collegiate Baseball League with theNorth Adams Steeplecats. In 2005, Smith briefly pitched for theRockville Express, a team in theCal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. In 2005, he made nine appearances for the Express, posting a 4.66 ERA, a 1–0win–loss record, and earning two saves.[1] Later in the summer of 2005, Smith also pitched for theEdenton Steamers in theCoastal Plain League. In 16 regular-season appearances, totaling17+1⁄3innings pitched, he tallied nine saves with a 2.08 ERA, a .197batting average against, andstruck out 19 batters. He also recorded the final out of the 2005 Petitt Cup tournament, on a comebacker, to give Edenton its second consecutive league championship.[citation needed]
TheNew York Mets selected Smith in the third round of the2006 MLB draft. Smith began his professional career with theBrooklyn Cyclones of theLow–ANew York–Penn League. He was named one of the top 20 prospects in the New York–Penn League byBaseball America. WhenDuaner Sánchez was hurt during a taxi cab incident in 2006, Mets general managerOmar Minaya considered recalling Smith to the major leagues. Instead, the Mets traded forRoberto Hernández andÓliver Pérez to give Smith more time in the minors[citation needed].
Smith made the Mets'Opening Day 25-man roster in 2007. On April 1, 2007, Smith made his major league debut. He struck out one (Preston Wilson) and walked one (Albert Pujols). He also gave up a single toDavid Eckstein. Smith earned his first major league win on April 24, 2007, after coming on in relief in the 12th inning.[2] Smith enjoyed much success at the beginning of 2007 but began to tire and was sent down to the minors at mid-year. Smith was with the Mets for the 2008 season, enjoying varied success. He went 6–3 in 63.3 innings with a 3.55 ERA.
On December 10, 2008, Smith was traded by the Mets to theCleveland Indians as part of a twelve-player, three-team deal.[3] On January 18, 2013, the Cleveland Indians announced they had avoided arbitration with Smith, signing him to a one-year contract worth $3.15 million.[4]
Smith became a free agent following the 2013 season but expressed interest in remaining with the Tribe.[5]
On November 24, 2013, Smith reportedly agreed to a three-year contract for $15 million with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, pending the completion of a physical.[6] On November 27, 2013, the Angels confirmed that the team and Smith agreed to the terms.[7] On April 25, 2014, Smith was named the Angels' new closer after multiple struggles by former closerErnesto Frieri. After the Angels traded for San Diego Padres' All-Star closerHuston Street on July 18, 2014, Smith was moved to an eighth-inning setup role. Smith finished 2014 with 15 saves in 76 games, achieving a 1.81 ERA on 1105 pitches.
On June 8, 2016, Smith went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.
On August 1, 2016, the Angels traded Smith to theChicago Cubs for prospect Jesús Castillo.[8] In 16 more appearances with the Cubs to finish 2016, Smith had a 1-1 record and a 2.51 ERA. Overall in 2016, combined with both teams he played for, Smith made 54 total appearances with a 1-4 record and a 3.82 ERA. Smith was a member of the Cubs'2016 World Series championship team but did not make any postseason appearances.[9]
On February 9, 2017, Smith signed a one-year, $3 million contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[10][11] Smith became the Blue Jayssetup man early in the season, afterJason Grilli struggled in the role andJoe Biagini was moved to the starting rotation.[12] He was placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 19 with shoulder inflammation.[13] In 38 games, he was 3-0 with a 3.28 ERA in35+2⁄3 innings.
On July 31, 2017, the Blue Jays traded Smith to the Cleveland Indians forThomas Pannone andSamad Taylor.[14] In18+1⁄3 innings, he had an ERA of 3.44 for the Indians.
On December 13,2017, Smith signed a two-year contract with theHouston Astros worth $15 million.[15] In his first season in Houston, Smith appeared in 56 games, recording a record of 5-1 in45+2⁄3 innings with a 3.74 ERA. On December 13 while working out, Smith suffered aruptured left Achilles tendon. He underwent surgery for it on December 20.[16]
In2019, Smith was 1–0 with a 1.80 ERA in 28 relief appearances in which he pitched 25.0 innings.[17]
On December 16, 2019, Smith resigned with the Astros on a two-year contract worth $8 million.[18] Smith did not play in the abbreviated 60-game2020 season and forfeited his $4M salary after returning toOhio to spend time with his mother who was battling the final stages ofHuntington's disease.[19] Smith returned to the Astros in2021, but struggled to a 7.48 ERA in 27 appearances with the team.[20]
On July 27, 2021, Smith was traded to theSeattle Mariners along withAbraham Toro in exchange forRafael Montero andKendall Graveman.[21]
On March 20, 2022, Smith signed with theMinnesota Twins.[22] In 34 appearances for Minnesota, he registered a 4.61 ERA with 17 strikeouts across27+1⁄3 innings of work. On August 3, Smith wasdesignated for assignment by the Twins.[23] He was released on August 5.
On January 31, 2024, Smith announced his retirement from professional baseball viaInstagram.[24][25]
Smith's pitching style is different from most. According to hitters, he comes at the batter from third base. His release point is about 4:30 on theanalog clock, lower thansidearm, and higher thansubmarine.[26] Smith's fastball usually is at 88–90 mph, sometimes reaching 93 mph. His fastball can even be considered a sinker because of its hard downward movement. He routinely gets ground balls because of this. Smith also throws a slider and a changeup.
Smith is married toTurner Sports reporterAllie LaForce.[27] Their first child, a son, was born in 2022.[28]
In 2012, Smith's mother was diagnosed withHuntington's disease; the condition leads to the death of nerve cells in the brain. Smith has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.[27] Smith and LaForce dedicate much of their free time to raising awareness for their organization HelpCureHD.org, which provides funding for couples to go through the PGD-IVF process as a way to stop the disease from continuing to future generations.[28]
· Baseball Almanac