| Kevan Smith | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Smith with theLos Angeles Angels in 2019 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: (1988-06-28)June 28, 1988 (age 37) Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 1, 2016, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 8, 2021, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .259 |
| Home runs | 13 |
| Runs batted in | 82 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Kevan Alan Smith (born June 28, 1988) is an American former professionalbaseballcatcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago White Sox,Los Angeles Angels,Tampa Bay Rays, andAtlanta Braves. Prior to playing professionally, Smith attended theUniversity of Pittsburgh, where he played for thePittsburgh Panthers baseball andfootball teams. The White Sox selected Smith in the seventh round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2016.
Smith attendedSeneca Valley High School inHarmony, Pennsylvania, graduating in 2006.[1] During his high school career, he played for the school'sAmerican football team as aquarterback, but was limited to only 12 games.[2]
Smith enrolled at theUniversity of Pittsburgh and played for thePittsburgh Panthers football team. Heredshirted during his first year at Pittsburgh, in 2006,[3] and became the Panthers' starting quarterback in 2007 following an injury toBill Stull.[2] He lost his starting role to Pat Bostick, a freshman, after struggling in a 2007 game against theMichigan State Spartans.[3] He appeared in five games during the 2007 season, and one game during the 2008 season.[4]
After the 2008 season, coachDave Wannstedt andoffensive coordinatorMatt Cavanaugh approached Smith about changing positions.[4] As Smith had increased hisweight training, they considered moving him tooutside linebacker ortight end.[5] He instead opted to quit football so that he could play for thePittsburgh Panthers baseball team.[4] For the baseball team, Smith had a .375batting average, 19home runs and 123runs batted in (RBIs) in his three seasons.[5] He was twice named an All-Big East Conference selection and twice named to the All-Tournament Team in theBig East Conference baseball tournament.[6]
TheChicago White Sox selected Smith in the seventh round (231st overall) of the2011 Major League Baseball draft.[7] He began his career with theBristol White Sox of theRookie-levelAppalachian League. He was promoted mid season to theGreat Falls Voyagers of the Rookie-levelPioneer League. He began the 2012 season with theKannapolis Intimidators of theSingle-ASouth Atlantic League. Towards the end of the season, Smith was promoted to theWinston Salem Dash of theHigh-ACarolina League. In 2013, Smith played the whole season for Winston-Salem.[5]
In 2014, Smith played for theBirmingham Barons of theDouble-ASouthern League.[8][9] He hit .290 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 106 games for Birmingham, and threw out 33 percent of baserunners attemptingstolen bases.[10] After the 2014 season, the White Sox assigned Smith to theGlendale Desert Dogs of theArizona Fall League.[11][12] On November 20, 2014, the White Sox added Smith to their40-man roster.[10] Smith spent the 2015 season with theCharlotte Knights of theTriple-AInternational League,[13] and began 2016 in Charlotte.[14]
WithAlex Avila going on thedisabled list, the White Sox promoted Smith to the major leagues on April 24, 2016.[14] Smith was scratched from the lineup on April 25 with back spasms, and the White Sox put Smith on thedisabled list due tosacroiliac joint dysfunction the next day.[15][16] On May 22, 2016, he was activated from the 15-day disabled list and returned to Charlotte. One game after his activation with the Knights, he went back on the disabled list.[17] The White Sox promoted Smith to the major leagues on September 1, and he made his major league debut that day.[18] He recorded his first two major league hits on September 17.[19] On February 10, 2017, Smith cleared waivers and was outrighted to Charlotte.[20]
Smith began the 2017 season with Charlotte,[21] and was promoted to the major leagues on April 13.[22] In 2017 with the White Sox he batted .283/.309/.388 with 4 home runs and 30 RBIs in 273 at bats.[23]
In 2018 with the White Sox he batted .292/.348/.380 with 3 home runs and 21 RBIs in 171 at bats.[23]
On October 26, 2018, Smith was claimed off waivers by theLos Angeles Angels.[24] Smith played in 67 games for the Angels in 2019, batting .251/.318/.393 with 5 home runs and 20 RBI. On December 2, 2019, Smith was non-tendered by the Angels and became a free agent.[25]
On January 11, 2020, Smith signed a minor league contract with theTampa Bay Rays.[26] Smith was promoted to the Rays' major league roster on July 21, afterColin Poche was placed on the injured list following atorn UCL.[27] He wasdesignated for assignment on August 9, and was outrighted by the Rays on August 12.[28] On August 29, Smith was selected back to the active roster.[29] On October 30, Smith was again outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
On December 29, 2020, Smith re-signed with the Rays on a minor league contract.[30] On May 7, 2021, Smith was selected to the active roster.[31] Smith notched one hit in five plate appearances before being designated for assignment by the Rays on May 16.[32]
On May 19, 2021, Smith was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.[33] On August 11, the Braves designated Smith for assignment to make room forTravis d'Arnaud.[34] Smith elected free agency on August 13.[35]