RHP Cade Smith, 16th round (466th overall) - Minnesota Twins
Photo Credit: Eddie Michels
With their 16th round pick (466th overall), the Minnesota Twins selected right-handed pitcher Cade Smith.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Hometown: Abbotsford, B.C.
Height/Weight: 6'5", 205 pounds
College Commitment: University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Teams: Chilliwack Cougars, Canadian Junior National Team
Coaches: Scott Pankratz, Shawn Corness, Greg Hamilton
Former teams: Abbotsford Cardinals, Team BC, Abbotsford Angels
Former coaches: Shawn Schaefer, Corey Eckstein, Jamie Bodaly, Anthony Pluta
Twitter Handle: @23CadeSmith
Scout: Walt Burrows
What they are saying: “I like the size, I like the make up, I like everything about him. I think the velocity will come. The thing is, you have to be sure drafting guys who commit to Hawaii. Where would you rather go: rookie-class Gulf Coast League in Florida in the Florida heat, maybe Billings, Montana ... or go to class in Hawaii?” - Scout.
“Unsure how much exposure he is getting playing in the BC College Prep League compared to the Premier League, but he’s getting enough ... he is with the Junior National Team.” - Scout
“Good command and size (6-foot-5).” - Blue Jays instructor Duane Ward after watching Smith at Tournament 12.
2017 season: Dominican Summer League trip with Junior National Team (JNT): Five walks, 11 strikeouts in nine innings, 6.00 ERA ... Worked five innings against the DSL Twins allowing two runs on five hits and three walks and he fanned four ... Allowed four runs on six hits and two walks in four innings against the DSL Yankees, while fanning seven ... Extended spring trip with JNT: Had one scoreless outing against the Tigers, also pitched in an intra-squad game ... Facing Tigers walked one, gave up one hit and struck out a pair against the Tigers, retiring eight straight . . . Spring trip with JNT: Allowed five runs on nine hits and one walk, while fanning two. Threw 66.7% first-pitch strikes ... Did not allow an earned run in his three innings of work against the Rays working his way out of trouble in the fifth, getting a double play after a single and an error put runners on first and second with one out ... Struck out a pair against the Phillies, allowing five runs on four hits and one walk.
2016 season: Fall Florida trip with JNT: Fanned four in five innings in two outings against the Astros ... Tournament 12: Five scoreless innings allowed two hits, three walks and 10 strikeouts. Velocity 88-89 MPH ... Named to tournament All-Star team ... Canada Cup at Fort McMurray: Allowed four hits, three walks while striking out seven in 101-pitch outing, throwing a complete-game 4-0 shutout vs. Ontario in his only start. Picked a runner off second, another off first.
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Pitching at Tournament 12 at the Rogers Centre