Devin Smeltzer

Devin Paul Smeltzer (born September 7, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Devin Smeltzer
Minnesota Twins – No. 31
Pitcher
Born: (1995-09-07) September 7, 1995
Voorhees, New Jersey
Bats: Right Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 28, 2019, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
(through September 6, 2020)
Win–loss record4–2
Earned run average4.57
Strikeouts53
Teams

Amateur career

Smeltzer attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, and played for the school's baseball team. The San Diego Padres selected him in the 33rd round of the 2014 MLB draft, but he chose to enroll at Florida Gulf Coast University to play college baseball for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles rather than sign with the Padres.[1] He pitched to a 1–4 win-loss record and a 6.19 earned run average (ERA) for the Eagles.[2]

In the summer of 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was co-MVP of the league's all-star game, and tossed a nine-inning no-hitter in which he missed a perfect game by a single walk.[3][4]

After one year with the Eagles, Smeltzer transferred to San Jacinto College, so that he would become eligible in the 2016 MLB draft.[2] Smeltzer had a 9–3 record and a 1.18 ERA with 128 strikeouts in ​91 2⁄3 innings pitched for San Jacinto's baseball team. He committed to transfer to Texas Tech University on a baseball scholarship after his sophomore year.[5]

Professional career

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Smeltzer in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft. He signed with the Dodgers rather than transferring to Texas Tech, and received a $500,000 signing bonus.[6] He played for the Arizona Dodgers of the Rookie-level Arizona League after signing and went 0–2 with a 7.59 ERA in 10.2 relief innings pitched. He began the 2017 season with the Great Lakes Loons of the Class A Midwest League.[7] In 2017, he made ten starts for Great Lakes and 15 (plus one relief appearance) for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A-Advanced California League. He was 7–7 with a 4.17 ERA between the two teams. Smeltzer began the 2018 season with the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League.[8]

Minnesota Twins

On July 31, 2018, the Dodgers traded Smeltzer to the Minnesota Twins, along with Logan Forsythe and Luke Raley, for Brian Dozier.[9] He was assigned to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A Southern League and finished the season there. In 33 games (14 starts) between Tulsa and Chattanooga, he was 5–5 with a 4.52 ERA.[10] He opened the 2019 season with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Southern League, going 3–1 with a 0.60 ERA in 30 innings.[11] He was promoted to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League on May 2.[11]

The Twins promoted Smeltzer to the major leagues on May 28, 2019. He made his major league debut the same night, allowing three hits and no runs, while striking out seven in six innings.[12]

Personal life

At the age of nine, Smeltzer was diagnosed with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer.[13] A tumor had grown against his bladder that was connected to his prostate. He was treated with surgery and chemotherapy at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.[14][15] The cancer went into full remission in 2012.[1]

References
  1. "Cancer fight gives FGCU pitcher a greater purpose". News-press.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  2. "College baseball: Pitcher Devin Smeltzer leaving FGCU for junior college". Archive.naplesnews.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  3. "Standout night for West co-MVPs Smeltzer, Hamilton". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. "BASEBALL: Smeltzer throws no-hitter in Cape Cod game". Courierpostonline.com. June 23, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  5. "Former Eustace baseball star Devin Smeltzer hopes to be drafted this weekend". Philly.com. June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  6. Hayes, Marcus (October 16, 2016). "After a year of 'hell,' South Jersey star thankful to be part of the Dodgers". Philly.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  7. "Dodgers prospect Devin Smeltzer continues shutout streak for Loons". MLive.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  8. "Devin Smeltzer Minor League Statistics". Baseball Reference.
  9. Walton, Ryan (July 31, 2018). "Dodgers acquire Brian Dozier from Twins for Logan Forsythe, two minor leaguers". SB Nation. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  10. "Devin Smeltzer Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  11. RotoWire Staff (May 4, 2019). "Twins' Devin Smeltzer: Strong Triple-A debut". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  12. https://www.twincities.com/2019/05/28/twins-place-michael-pineda-on-il-call-up-devin-smeltzer/
  13. "LA Dodgers draft pick Devin Smeltzer overcame pediatric cancer". Dailynews.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  14. Ben Rohrbach (February 11, 2014). "Southpaw Devin Smeltzer beats cancer to become one of nation's top pitching prospects". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  15. "Devin Smeltzer Overcame Cancer To Become A Star « CBS Philly". CBS - Philadelphia. May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
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