In the News
11/15/06.. addition.. beyond the boxscore.com
Seth Smith , OF, Colorado Rockies.
If you're looking for a good, low risk prospect who is flying below the radar, here's your man. Seth Smith is a big, 24 year old, lefty-hitting corner outfielder who has done little other than hit since he was taken in the second round in 2004. He was a steal.
As a prospect watcher, I'm contractually obligated to mention that Smith was Eli Manning's backup at Ole Miss, echoing Todd Helton's stint as Peyton Manning's backup at Tennessee. His football background is easy to see in his above average athleticism and solid build (6'3", 215 lbs).
There's a lot there to like. He didn't show a ton of over-the-fence power, which is consistent with his '05, where he hit 45 doubles and 9 home runs in 533 AB. Someday he might start pushing some of those line drives over the fence. The walk rate isn't eye-popping, but it's healthy. Not too many strikeouts. The only two things I'm really going to hold against him is A) he was a little old for the league as he was 23 during the season, and B) he only managed a .378 slugging percentage against southpaws. Neither of those things is a deal-breaker though. Even if the home runs don't come and he doesn't mash lefties the same way he does righties, he still has a chance to become Jason Michaels. There's plenty of value in that. Brad Hawpe might be another good comp.
In a nutshell he's solid, not spectacular.
10/16/06.. addition MLB.com.. Comments from Rockies player development director, Marc Gustafson.
We're looking forward to seeing him at Coors Field next season," Gustafson said. "He's projected to start next year at Triple-A, coming off the great season he had at Tulsa. He's a gap-to-gap hitter, and he played the outfield quite well. He's knocking at the door."
Before this year, a vision issue left him below average defensively. Vision correction surgery improved his ability to track balls, and allowed him to demonstrate an accurate throwing arm similar to what current Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe possesses, Gustafson said.
Gustafson added that Smith can play some center field, but the Rockies believe his talents are more suited for the corner positions.
9/8/06.. addition.. Rocky.. talking about his second half
"Basically, I went back to what got me here," said Smith, the Rockies second-round pick in 2004 out of the University of Mississippi, "and pretty much went back to how I played in Casper. I put my leg kick back in, which I didn’t have last year and didn’t use the beginning of this year. It helped with my timing and picking up pitches."
Leg kick or no leg kick, the Rockies had little doubt Smith could hit. He has a classic left-handed swing - rhythmic, stylish and wonderfully aesthetic. What the Rockies wanted to see from Smith this year was better defense and a greater sense of urgency when it came to playing the game.
It’s not that Smith was a malcontent or rubbed anyone in the organization the wrong way with his personality. But on the field, he was known to lope or jog when he should be hustling out of the batter’s box.
Various members of the organization spoke to Smith about this situation, and last winter he vowed it would be corrected this season. He was right. "I told them it wouldn’t be an issue," Smith said. "It hasn’t been. I’ve been running balls out, playing hard. It actually makes for a better season, makes you a better player, helps you enjoy the game even that much more."
Smith has an above average throwing arm, but his velocity sometimes suffers because of inconsistent throwing mechanics. Rockies outfield coach Dave Collins has worked wonders in this area with the likes of Brad Hawpe, Matt Holliday and Choo Freeman and likely can do the same for Smith.
6/25/06.. scouting report from OhNoKoolAid
RF Seth Smith- Although he's sometimes compared to Matt Holliday because of their football background, Smith does not have near the physique or swing of Holliday. His defense looks average across the board and he might have trouble covering ground in Coors, without the throwing arm to make up for it (like Hawpe). I like his recent gains, but I think he's more on the fringe major leaguer side than the everyday starter side. He will need to continue to progress in the second half and continue to sure up his frame. Potential is still there for a power breakout.
5/08/06.. Purps 30.. Purple Row.com
18. Seth Smith - OF
Seth doesn't quite have the same panache with our voters as he seems to get from other sources. It's not that he's been a disappointment this year, either. His fourteen extra base hits is third on the Tulsa Driller team only trailing Stewart and Tulo. Additionally, his bat seems to be getting better as the season moves along. Smith has to have one of the quickest bats through the box in the system, which culminates in a powerful line drive swing. He has some trouble making consistent contact, and needs to have a better eye for the strike zone. Defensively, he's shown some improvement over the last three seasons of pro-ball, and should have enough range and definitely enough arm to cover Coors field. Still, right now he isn't showing enough to make Matt Holliday or Brad Hawpe sweat too much, and even Ryan Spillborghs and Jeff Baker.