New Player Spotlight: LHP, Will Smith – Farm to Fountains

He’s back! The Royals decided to bring back an old friend this offseason in left-hander Will Smith. They originally acquired him in 2010 in a trade that sent Alberto Callaspo to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels are the team that drafted Smith out of Gulf Coast State College in the 7th round of the 2008 MLB Draft.

Smith had made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2012, a season where he posted a 5.32 ERA while striking out 59 in 83.2 innings pitched. He didn’t break out until 2013, when he posted a 3.24 ERA for the Royals in in 33.1 innings pitched. The Royals then decided to trade Smith to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Nori Aoki, who played a significant role in the 2014 World Series run. 

After Smith left Kansas City, he blossomed as a good late-inning reliever and has become a veteran major league player who has spent 11 seasons in the big leagues. Outside the Royals, he’s spent time with the Brewers, Braves, Astros, and Rangers. Over that span, he’s totaled 611 innings pitched and compiled a 3.67 ERA, What is even crazier is he has become the first player to win three straight World Series (Braves, Astros, Rangers, in that order). Which makes you think… are the Royals next?! 

Smith was the bullpen arm the Royals acquired this offseason with the most name recognition, and he is the front-runner to close out games for the Royals this year, even though James McArthur showed he could be successful in that role late in the season. The lefty has a career total of 113 saves and has been closing games for competitive playoff teams. You have to imagine that experience has him leading the pack as the guy who could see the most save opportunities. And if things don’t go like the Royals hope for this year, and they are selling at the deadline, having Smith be successful in a late-inning closers-type role will potentially increase his value at the deadline. 

Big moment.

Big Will Smith strikeout. pic.twitter.com/jJx8wshCKJ