| Devin Smeltzer | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Smeltzer with theSt. Paul Saints in 2022 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-09-07)September 7, 1995 (age 30) Voorhees, New Jersey, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 28, 2019, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 9–5 |
| Earned run average | 4.32 |
| Strikeouts | 112 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Devin Paul Smeltzer (born September 7, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMinnesota Twins andMiami Marlins.
Smeltzer attendedBishop Eustace Preparatory School inPennsauken Township, New Jersey, and played for the school's baseball team. TheSan Diego Padres selected him in the 33rd round of the2014 MLB draft, but he chose to enroll atFlorida Gulf Coast University to playcollege baseball for theFlorida Gulf Coast Eagles rather than sign with the Padres.[1] He pitched to a 1–4win–loss record and a 6.19earned run average (ERA) for the Eagles.[2]
In the summer of 2015, he playedcollegiate summer baseball for theHyannis Harbor Hawks of theCape Cod Baseball League, where he andIan Hamilton were named the co-most valuable players of the league's all-star game,[3] and threw a nine-inning no-hitter in which he missed a perfect game by a single walk.[4][5]
After one year with the Eagles, Smeltzer transferred toSan Jacinto College, so that he would become eligible in the2016 MLB draft.[2] Smeltzer had a 9–3 record and a 1.18 ERA with 128 strikeouts in91+2⁄3 innings pitched for San Jacinto's baseball team. He committed to transfer toTexas Tech University on a baseball scholarship after his sophomore year.[6]
TheLos Angeles Dodgers selected Smeltzer in the fifth round of the2016 MLB draft. He signed with the Dodgers rather than transferring to Texas Tech, and received a $500,000signing bonus.[7] He played for theArizona Dodgers of theRookie-levelArizona League after signing and went 0–2 with a 7.59 ERA in 10.2 relief innings pitched. He began the 2017 season with theGreat Lakes Loons of theSingle–AMidwest League.[8] In 2017, he made ten starts for Great Lakes and 15 (plus one relief appearance) for theRancho Cucamonga Quakes of theHigh–ACalifornia League. He was 7–7 with a 4.17 ERA between the two teams. Smeltzer began the 2018 season with theTulsa Drillers of theDouble–ATexas League.[9]
On July 31, 2018, the Dodgers traded Smeltzer to theMinnesota Twins, along withLogan Forsythe andLuke Raley, in exchange forBrian Dozier.[10] He was assigned to theChattanooga Lookouts of theDouble-ASouthern League and finished the season there. In 33 games (14 starts) between Tulsa and Chattanooga, he was 5–5 with a 4.52 ERA.[11] He opened the 2019 season with thePensacola Blue Wahoos of the Southern League, going 3–1 with a 0.60 ERA in 30 innings.[12] He was promoted to theRochester Red Wings of theTriple-AInternational League on May 2.[12]
The Twins promoted Smeltzer to the major leagues on May 28, 2019. He made his major league debut the same night, allowing three hits and no runs, while striking out seven in six innings.[13] Smeltzer finished the season with a 3.86 ERA, striking out 18.8% of the batters he faced.[14] In 2020, Smeltzer recorded a 2–0 record and 6.75 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.[15]
On July 17, 2021, Smeltzer was placed on the 60-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.[16] Smeltzer made one appearance for the Twins in 2021 and was outrighted off of the 40-man roster on November 19.[17]
The Twins promoted Smeltzer back to the major leagues on May 14, 2022.[18] He made 15 appearances for the Twins, including 12 games started, and pitched to a 3.71 ERA in70+1⁄3 innings. In October, Smeltzer was sent outright to Triple-A and chose to elect free agency on October 11.[19]
On January 24, 2023, Smeltzer signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlins organization.[20] On April 9, Smeltzer’s contract was selected to the active roster.[21] Smeltzer made 5 appearances (1 start) for Miami, posting a 6.75 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by the Marlins on April 28, following the promotion ofJohan Quezada.[22] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-AJacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on May 2.[23]
On May 3, Smeltzer was selected back to the Marlins' roster after Quezada wasdesignated for assignment.[24] He tossed 3.2 innings that day against theAtlanta Braves, surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts. The following day, he was designated for assignment afterChi Chi Gonzalez had his contract selected.[25] Smeltzer again cleared waivers and was outrighted to Jacksonville on May 6.[26] On August 3, Smeltzer was again added to the major league roster.[27] After two scoreless appearances for Miami, he was designated for assignment on August 5.[28] On August 8, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple–A.[29]
On September 1, Smeltzer tossed the firstno-hitter in Jumbo Shrimp history, logging 4 strikeouts in 7.0 innings against theCharlotte Knights.[30] On September 6, Smeltzer was once more selected back to Miami's major league roster.[31] After tossing3+2⁄3 relief innings against theLos Angeles Dodgers the previous day, Smeltzer was designated for assignment for a fourth time on September 8.[32] He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Jacksonville on September 11.[33] Smeltzer elected free agency on October 15.[34]
On December 7, 2023, Smeltzer re-signed with the Marlins on a minor league contract.[35] In 24 relief outings for Triple–A Jacksonville, he compiled a 3.69 ERA with 32 strikeouts and one save across31+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 10, 2024, Smeltzer was released by the Marlins organization.[36]
On November 19, 2024, Smeltzer signed with theDorados de Chihuahua of theMexican League.[37] In 13 starts for Chihuahua in 2025, Smeltzer posted a 4-4 record and 5.17 ERA with 60 strikeouts across78+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On July 8, 2025, Smeltzer signed a minor league contract with theDetroit Tigers.[38] In three starts for the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 8.44 ERA with seven strikeouts across10+2⁄3 innings pitched. Smeltzer was released by the Tigers organization on August 4.[39]
At the age of nine, Smeltzer was diagnosed with pelvicrhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer.[40] A tumor had grown against hisbladder that was connected to hisprostate. He was treated with surgery andchemotherapy atSt. Christopher's Hospital for Children inPhiladelphia.[41][42] The cancer went into full remission in 2012.[1]
In 2006 while battling cancer, Smeltzer was invited toCitizens Bank Park to meet Phillies playersChase Utley andCole Hamels.[43] In 2018, Utley was on the Dodgers and Smeltzer, was a member of the Dodgers organization.[43] During spring training, Dodgers managerDave Roberts told the story to the Dodgers clubhouse and reintroduced the two.[43] After hearing the story, Smeltzer's teammates gave him a round of applause.[43]