Blue Jays Develop Two-Way Player Austin Smith

The Blue Jays are developing Austin Smith as a two-way player, a rare talent. This follows their past interest in players like Shohei Ohtani.
By Newsroom | Sports, Baseball |

Smith Makes Pitching Debut Amidst Team's Pursuit of Unique Talent

Austin Smith, a prospect recently selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 10th round of the MLB Draft, has officially stepped onto the professional mound for his pitching debut with the club's Single-A affiliate, the Dunedin Blue Jays. This move signals a deliberate organizational effort to develop a 'two-way' player, capable of both hitting and pitching, a path that has seen renewed interest in baseball following the success of stars like Shohei Ohtani. The Blue Jays are actively investing in Smith's dual capabilities, seeing him as a potential answer to a rare talent profile they previously sought in free agency.

Prospect Austin Smith eyes two-way stardom with Blue Jays - 1

Smith, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder, made his professional pitching appearance recently, delivering a third of an inning. While his debut outing included allowing an earned run on one hit, with two walks and no strikeouts, and recording only one out, it marks a significant step in his development. The organization's willingness to expose him to pitching at this early stage underscores their commitment to his two-way potential.

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Prospect Austin Smith eyes two-way stardom with Blue Jays - 2

"The @BlueJays now have their own two-way prospect!"

Smith arrives with prior experience as a two-way player at the University of San Diego, where he made 46 appearances on the mound and also contributed as an outfielder. His college statistics show promise, including a .353 batting average with six home runs in 250 plate appearances in a previous season. The club appears to be strategically developing Smith, moving him from an outfielder role to now actively integrating him as a pitcher.

The Blue Jays' focus on a two-way prospect is notable, especially considering their past unsuccessful bid to sign Shohei Ohtani. This pursuit of developing their own unique talent within the minor league system suggests a long-term vision for Smith. While Smith is still navigating the initial stages of his professional career, with current minor league hitting statistics around .200 in limited games, the organization is clearly looking beyond immediate results to nurture his multifaceted abilities.

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Background: The Two-Way Player Archetype

The concept of a 'two-way' player, excelling at both pitching and hitting, is historically rare in modern professional baseball. Shohei Ohtani's unprecedented success has reignited widespread fascination and organizational exploration of this player archetype. Teams are now more actively seeking and developing talent capable of contributing in both facets of the game, a stark contrast to the highly specialized roles common in previous decades. The Blue Jays' investment in Austin Smith reflects this contemporary trend, as they aim to carve out their own unique talent from the existing prospect pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Austin Smith's new role with the Dunedin Blue Jays?
Austin Smith, a prospect for the Toronto Blue Jays, has started pitching for the Dunedin Blue Jays. This is part of the team's plan to develop him as a 'two-way' player, meaning he can both hit and pitch.
Q: How did Austin Smith perform in his pitching debut?
In his first pitching appearance, Austin Smith pitched for a third of an inning. He allowed one hit, walked two batters, and gave up one earned run. He recorded one out.
Q: Why are the Blue Jays developing a two-way player like Austin Smith?
The Blue Jays are trying to develop their own unique talent like Shohei Ohtani. They believe Austin Smith has the potential to be good at both hitting and pitching, which is rare in baseball.
Q: What is the history of two-way players in baseball?
Two-way players, who are skilled at both pitching and hitting, are very uncommon in modern baseball. Shohei Ohtani's success has made teams more interested in finding and developing players with these dual abilities.
Q: What are Austin Smith's current hitting stats?
Austin Smith is currently hitting around .200 in limited games in the minor leagues. The team is focusing on his long-term development as a pitcher and hitter.