Drew Smyly
| Drew Smyly | |
|---|---|
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| Detroit Tigers – No. 33 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: June 13, 1989 Maumelle, Arkansas |
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| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| April 12, 2012 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Career statistics (through May 19, 2013) |
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| Win–loss record | 6–3 |
| Earned run average | 3.53 |
| Strikeouts | 123 |
| Teams | |
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Todd Andrew Smyly (born June 13, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. Prior to his professional career, he played college baseball at the University of Arkansas. He was drafted by the Tigers in 2010 and made his major league debut in 2012. Smyly has also competed for the United States national baseball team, winning the silver medal in the 2011 Pan American Games. Smyly competed for the fifth spot on Detroit's starting pitching rotation in 2013, but he started the season in the bullpen.
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College career [edit]
Smyly attended Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas and the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I. As a redshirt freshman in 2009, Smyly came within two outs of pitching the first no-hitter at the NCAA Division I championship tournament in eighteen years.[1]
During the summer following his strong 2009 season, Smyly pitched for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League where he played for a brief time under current New York Mets Manager Terry Collins. Serving in the Razorbacks' starting rotation, Smyly was named All-SEC in 2010.[2]
Professional career [edit]
The Detroit Tigers drafted Smyly in the second round (68th overall) of the 2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.[3] Smyly signed with the Tigers, receiving a $1.1 million signing bonus.[4] Pitching for the Lakeland Tigers of the Class-A Advanced Florida State League and the Erie Seawolves of the Class-AA Eastern League, Smyly was the named Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011, pitching to a 11–6 win-loss record with a 2.07 earned run average (ERA) and 130 strikeouts in 126 innings pitched.[5][6]
2012 season [edit]
Heading into the 2012 season, MLB.com ranked Smyly the 82nd best prospect in baseball,[7] while Baseball America ranked Smyly the third best prospect in the Tigers organization, behind Jacob Turner and Nick Castellanos.[8] The Tigers invited Smyly to spring training in 2012, allowing him to compete for a spot in the Tigers' starting rotation.[9] Smyly won the competition, beginning the 2012 season in the starting rotation of the Detroit Tigers, though he made one start with the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class-AAA International League on April 7 prior to being called up for his MLB debut on April 12.[5] On June 14, he was placed on the disabled list (retroactive to June 11) due to a blister on his left hand.[10] He returned June 26 to make a start against the Texas Rangers. Following the Tigers' trade deadline acquisition of starter Aníbal Sánchez from the Miami Marlins, Smyly spent much of August and September coming out of the Tiger bullpen.
On the season, Drew pitched 99 1⁄3 innings, compiling a 4-3 record with 94 strikeouts, 33 walks and a 3.99 ERA. He was named to the Tigers' postseason roster.
Smyly was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS against the New York Yankees, pitching the final two innings of the Tigers' extra-innings win.[11]
2013 season [edit]
Smyly competed with Rick Porcello in spring training for the fifth spot in the Tigers' 2013 starting rotation. On March 26, it was announced that Porcello had won the #5 starter job, and that Smyly would start the season in the Tiger bullpen.[12]
International career [edit]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's baseball | ||
Competitor for  United States |
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| Pan American Games | ||
| Silver | 2011 Guadalajara | National team |
After the 2011 season, Smyly pitched for the U.S. national baseball team in the 2011 Baseball World Cup and the 2011 Pan American Games,[13] winning the silver medal.[14]
Pitching style [edit]
Smyly throws four pitches. His main pitch is a four-seam fastball at 90–93 mph. He adds a slider in the low 80s, a cut fastball in the upper 80s, and an occasional changeup to right-handed hitters in the mid 80s.[15]
References [edit]
- ^ Heck, David. "Smyly holds Cubs hitless for seven | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ "HOG CALLS Baxendale great as starter and finisher". NWAonline. 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ With Draft Over, Razorbacks Ready For ASU | Arkansas News[dead link]
- ^ AP Photo. "Tigers sign top three June draft picks Nick Castellanos, Chance Ruffin and Drew Smyly". Mlive.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ a b Beck, Jason (April 1, 2012). "Smyly, Marte make Opening Day roster". MLB.com (Major League Baseball Advanced Media). Retrieved April 4, 2012.
- ^ Chris Iott. "Tigers prospects Nick Castellanos, Drew Smyly earn postseason honors". Mlive.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ "2012 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: Prospects". Mlb.mlb.com. 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ Badler, Ben (2012-01-19). "Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: 2012 Detroit Tigers Top 10 Prospects". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly faces major opportunity today | Detroit Free Press | freep.com[dead link]
- ^ Transactions MLB.com. Retrieved 14 June 2012
- ^ Tigers 6, Yankees 4. MLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
- ^ Porcello beats out Smyly for Tigers' rotation spot. cbssports.com on March 26, 2013.
- ^ by UA Media Relations (2011-09-15). "Former Razorback Drew Smyly PIcked To Pitch For Team USA". Arkansassports360.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- ^ Emrich, Robert (October 26, 2011). "Van Ostrand, Canada take Pan Am gold | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Drew Smyly". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Drew Smyly |
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- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Drew Smyly on Twitter
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- 1989 births
- Living people
- Baseball players from Arkansas
- Baseball pitchers
- Arkansas Razorbacks baseball players
- Lakeland Flying Tigers players
- Little Rock Central High School alumni
- Erie SeaWolves players
- Toledo Mud Hens players
- Detroit Tigers players
- Baseball players at the 2011 Pan American Games
- People from Pulaski County, Arkansas
