by Jim Brown
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2010 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
RHP Josh Smith, Lo-A Dayton (CIN)
season stats: 3-3, 1.99 ERA, 49.2 IP, 37 H, 10 BB, 67 K in 9 starts
May 18-May 24: 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 13 K in 1 start
How’s this for under the radar? A 5th year senior pitching for Lipscomb University has four complete games, including three in row, sets the NCAA record of 15 strikeouts and then ties his own record on his next start. His 124 strikeouts placed him 4th among all Division I pitchers. You'd think he would be listed somewhere on MLB draft boards. This wasn’t the case, as the Reds were the only ones that came knocking. The 6'2" Smith was drafted in the 21st round last season and later signed for a mere $1000, which might turn out to be the best bargain of the draft.
Smith joins rotation-mate Daniel Renken as a UTR selection after striking out a career-high 13 batters in 7.1 innings on May 21st. His previous high of 12 strikeouts came on April 29th, including nine within the first 3 innings. The 23 year-old was named the Reds' minor league pitcher for the month for April (2-1, 0.93 ERA in 5 starts) and he is currently leading the Midwest League and ranked 2nd amongst Lo-A pitchers with 67 strikeouts. The 23 year old throws a 90-93 heater that he uses to get ahead of hitters and then finishes them with a plus curveball, which can be unhittable when he has command of it. Another plus is the deception in his delivery. Given his advanced age at Lo-A, a promotion to Hi-A Bakersfield should be coming. Bakersfield currently has two starting pitchers who are struggling and that may force the hand of the organization.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP Miles Mikolas, Hi-A Lake Elsinore (SD): 1.47 ERA, 18.1 IP, 13 H, BB, 23 K, 5 saves in 16 appearances; 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 6 K, 3 saves in 4 appearances
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UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
UTR Minor League AL Performances of the Week
Under the Radar 2011 Archive
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