Position | Relief Pitcher |
Team | Milwaukee Brewers |
Years of Experience | 1 years |
Age | 27 |
Height | 6 ft 2 in |
Weight | 200 lb |
Bats | Right |
Throws | Right |
College | University of California, Riverside |
2008 Salary | Minor League Contract |
Place of Birth | Apple Valley, California |
Selection | 4th round 2002 amateur draft |
Drafted by | Boston Red Sox |
Major League Debut | June 21, 2008 |
- For the 1980's infielder, see Chris Smith.
Chris Michael Smith (born on April 13, 1981 in Apple Valley, California) is a relief pitcher currently in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He graduated from Hesperia High School, in Hesperia, California, in 1999 and attended the University of California, Riverside. He bats and throws right-handed.
College[]
While attending the University of California, Smith posted a 9-8 win-loss record, with a 2.91 ERA as a junior. He also broke a school record for strikeouts that season with 127. He earned Big West Pitcher of the Week honors after a 15-strikeout performance against the University of California, Irvine, and was named second team All-Big West.
Professional Career[]
Smith was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 4th round of the 2002 amateur draft, and was assigned to the Short-Season Lowell Spinners. He missed the entire 2002 season due to an ATV accident.
He spent the next few years working his way through the minor leagues, first reaching the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in 2006. He split that season between Pawtucket and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, helping the Sea Dogs to the Eastern League Championship and being named and Eastern League All-Star.
Smith began the 2007 season with Portland, where he struggled, going 6-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 30 games, 14 of which were starts. He was called up to Pawtucket in the season, where he actually excelled, albeit in only two innings, with a 1.80 ERA.
Smith began the 2008 season with Pawtucket, where he began the season 1-2, but with an impressive 1.45 ERA and 28 strikeouts. His numbers earned him his first major league callup on May 18, after the Red Sox desperately needed arms after a day-night double header against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was sent down just two days later, when the Red Sox recalled Justin Masterson from Pawtucket. He continued to have success in Pawtucket until June 17, when Bartolo Colon was placed on the DL. He remained with the big league club until July 3, when Mike Timlin was activated from the disabled list. He was again called up from Pawtucket on August 1 to replace Craig Hansen, who had just been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, on the roster.
Smith became a free agent following the 2008 season. On December 22, 2008, he signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers