Tristan
Smith

The top ‘24 draft-eligible prospect for the Tigers, Smith topped at 94 mph and sat 91-92 with his fastball (2400- 2600 rpm) with some deception from his segmented delivery. With up to 21” of vertical break his fastball can be an overpowering, swing/miss weapon up in the zone with high spin and good carry to the plate. He does land across his body and has a hard time syncing up his landing with ball release. It leads to control that comes and goes as 17 walks in 30 innings this spring illustrates. His track record so far in one-plus years of college baseball mirrors his days as a prep with too many free passes. Some of what I saw against Louisville could be due to Smith still gaining back his feel after recently missing several weeks due to a lower body injury, but it was similar to my look last summer. His breaking ball began the game as a hard curveball offering with solid depth at 81-83. It graded as a present average, potential future plus pitch. As the game progressed his breaker morphed into a low-80s slurve and was overall improved from the below average offering he showed me in the Cape last summer. His third pitch was an 80-84 mph changeup that played below average with its scattered location. However, it has the potential to become average in the future with good hand speed and a similar release point to his fastball. Smith appeared to injure his hamstring in the bottom 4th inning after showing a velocity decrease to 89-91 which prompted a visit by the trainer. However, Smith regrouped, stayed in the game, and pumped 92 to another batter before exiting after 72 total pitches (38 for strikes). For the evening Smith walked four, hit three and threw one wild pitch. Obviously, not his best outing, but he did show many flashes as to why he is so highly valued for this year’s draft. A 2024 draft-eligible sophomore, Smith is similar to most young arms who need refinement with command and further development of his secondary offerings.

Physical LHP, strong build. Tons of upside. Loose electric arm action. Deception present working across his line. FB up 94. CB 76-78 mph. CH 85. Late biting off speed. Athletic delivery. Top 10 nationally ranked player. Clemson Commit.