Pavin Smith

Pavin Joe Smith (born February 6, 1996) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Pavin Smith
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 26
First baseman
Born: (1996-02-06) February 6, 1996
Jupiter, Florida
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 12, 2020, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Batting average.270
Home runs1
Runs batted in4
Teams

Amateur career

Pavin participated in the Babe Ruth League's 2008 Cal Ripken Major70 World Series. His two home runs in the World Championship helped his Jupiter, Florida, team defeat Mexico 5–4.[1] Smith attended Palm Beach Gardens Community High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He played for the school's baseball team as a first baseman and pitcher.[2] The Colorado Rockies selected him in the 32nd round of the 2014 MLB draft, but he did not sign.[3][4]

Smith enrolled at the University of Virginia to play college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team. He played the 2015 season with an ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow, which prevented him from pitching. Smith had the game-winning hit in the second game of the 2015 College World Series against Vanderbilt.[5] Smith underwent Tommy John surgery after Virginia won the College World Series, and returned to play in 2016.[6] He hit eight home runs as a sophomore. After the 2016 season, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star.[7] In 2017, his junior year, Smith batted .342 with 13 home runs and 12 strikeouts.[8]

Professional career

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Smith with the seventh overall selection of the 2017 MLB draft.[9] Smith signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $5,016,300 signing bonus.[8]

Smith made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League[10] and spent his whole first season there, posting a .318 batting average with 27 RBIs in 51 games.[11] He was named a postseason All-Star.[12] Smith spent the 2018 season with the Visalia Rawhide of the Class A-Advanced California League[13] where he hit .255 with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs in 120 games.[14] After the 2018 season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.[15] Smith spent 2019 with the Jackson Generals of the Class AA Southern League.[16] Over 123 games, he slashed .291/.370/.466 with 12 home runs and 67 RBIs.[17]

On September 10, 2020, the Diamondbacks selected Smith’s contract to the 40-man and active rosters.[18] He made his major league debut on September 12 against the Seattle Mariners, and he notched his first hit off of Yoshihisa Hirano.

On September 25, Smith hit his first major league home run off of A.J. Ramos of the Colorado Rockies.

Personal life

As a Christmas present in 2017, Smith paid off his parents' mortgage.[12] Smith is engaged to former University of Florida gymnast Amanda Cheney.

References
  1. "Ripken World Series won on walk-off". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  2. "Pressure meets Gardens baseball duo heading into playoffs". Sun Sentinel. April 19, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  3. "County's top prospects drafted, opt for college". The Palm Beach Post. June 7, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  4. Ramspacher, Andrew (October 9, 2014). "Talented Cavalier freshmen face early expectations | Cavalier Insider". Daily Progress. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  5. "When the lights were brightest, Virginia's stars shined at the College World Series | CWS". Omaha World Herald. June 24, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  6. Doughty, Doug (May 24, 2017). "Virginia's Pavin Smith continues to improve as a power hitter on the baseball field | UVa Sports News". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  7. "#24 Pavin Smith - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  8. "Arizona Diamondbacks sign first-round pick Pavin Smith". The Arizona Republic. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  9. Gilbert, Steve (January 20, 2016). "D-backs take Pavin Smith with No. 7 Draft pick". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  10. "Hops' Smith collects first three hits as a pro". Milb.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  11. "Pavin Smith Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  12. Jackson, Josh (December 26, 2017). "D-backs' Smith gives big Christmas surprise". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  13. "Visalia Rawhide 2018 Season Preview". Visaliatimesdelta.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  14. "Pavin Smith Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  15. Callis, Jim (November 16, 2018). "Top MVP candidates to collide in AFL championship". Mlb.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  16. McDermott, Michael (April 4, 2019). "2019 Arizona Diamondbacks Farm System Preview". Azsnakepit.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  17. "Pavin Smith emerging as big-league option for Arizona Diamondbacks". Azcentral.com. February 19, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  18. Connor Byrne. "Diamondbacks Designate Jake Lamb". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
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