Donnie Smith was a once regarded prospect in the system. Taken in the 4th round out of Old Dominion back in 2004, BA ranked Smith as the 14th best prospect in the system they gave an F in terms of depth, so take it for what it’s worth. Smith was part of the same rotation as Justin Verlander in college, and his 2.29 ERA was nearly a run and half better then Verlander’s. It also led his entire division, and before that he was the #1 prospect in the summer league that he played in.
In 44 innings, Smith had a 41 to 5 strikeout to walk ratio for New Jersey. He moved up to the Quad Cities the following year and only pitched 24 innings. He ended up getting arthroscopic surgery done on his shoulder, usually not a good sign for someone hoping to make baseball their career. He came back last year throwing out of the bullpen and he posted solid numbers, but was a little low in the strikeout department. This year for Palm Beach the K’s came back a little bit, as he struck out 20% of the batters he faced and had a 3.03 ERA helping set the table for Luke Gregerson.
In his pre-surgery, I’m a prospect days, Smith was throwing 93 with a good slider. I haven’t heard if he’s still throwing as hard now as he was then, but he’s been effective. I wonder now that he may have been able to build up his strength if he’ll move back in the rotation. In one spot or another, Springfield should be his destination. He is eligible for Rule V.
Filed under: Donnie Smith
erik
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Smith was really good his last couple of months posting 1.74 and 1.69 ERA’s his last two months and his K rate the second half of the year was really good. His last 10 appearances were 13 innings 4 hits 1 ER 14K’s and 4 BB. I agree he should be in Springfield next year and he could really become a solid prospect again if he can pick up where he left off.
Just to add some more “what a great finish” stuff on Smith. His post all-star ERA was 2.16 and he struck out 33 in 33.1 innings. If I calculated it right his post all-star FIP was 3.00.
Could he be headed to Philly for Branyan? I am still afraid we gave value to them.
Smith is the type of player that you just can’t worry too much about losing. Even if he were to be the PTBNL for Branyan, given what we know about him, it’s not something I’d be worried about. Especially considering he’s eligible for the Rule V Draft — he’s not going to be protected headed into that draft.
they do have a minor league portion of the draft…i mean, it’s not like omar falcon and jose contreras were real prospects and the cardinals scooped them up. he won’t be protected to be sure, but if i understand he could be taken by another team.
who do you expect the cards to protect during the rule 5 draft?
josh..
jarrett hoffpauir, joe mather, mark worrell, jason motte and perhaps mike sillman and stuart pomeranz.
That summer league he played in is also pretty crappy. The #1 ranking isn’t as good as it sounds, the league was mainly a bunch of D-1 scrubs and lower division players.
eric - no protection for McClellen?
oversight on my part. mcclellan should be protected. i also wouldn’t be surprised if they move him into the starters role next year.
thanks erik…i really enjoy the site
just a quick note on Donnie Smith’s performance in the past two seasons.. while in Quad Cities he was injured and still pitching until finally his pitching coach listened to him and set him up with an appointment with the team doctor in St. Louis and behold he had been pitching with an injury the entire season. And for pitching with half your arm strength his 2005 season was outstanding. The 2006 season for him was rehab. He was only allowed a certain amount of pitches each start and only under a certain speed. In West Palm beach for 2007 he started to show his speed and efficiency was more. The beginning of the season was stemmed with personal problems from his family, does everyone know where and/or how he was raised?? Not in a normal Baseball players surroundings… He suppossedly was having issues with family members stealing his bonus money from him and causing him much strife, not sure who exactly but any athlete needs their mental focus to be only on the game not on if someone is or isn’t taking money from you that is your family. I am assuming that he let go of all that after the first part of the season and came out looking better than ever. He hit 94 mph and had a great slider again as well as a change-up. He went for 5, I believe, with no earned runs. The Cardinals were wise in switching him to bullpen because he was using his arm more frequently, to build muscles, and not as long to stretch them.
I know Donnie and I am from VA. you are right about his personal stuff early he had a huge weight on him going in to the season but DJ shook it the second half and played well. one of his main focuses on the season was working the strength back in from the surgery. the club wanted him to take it easy and I look forward to seeing what he is going to do this year.he is a no excuse kind of cat and he will bounce back.