Chicago Cubs Prospect Profile: Cam Smith |
There was a time when the Cubs had a tough time hitting on their first-round draft picks. Then Theo Epstein came to down, and by 2012, when the Cubs selected Javier Baez, it had been a 10-plus-year stretch where the Cubs have hit on virtually every single one of their first-round picks.
From Baez to Kris Bryant, Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber, and Nico Hoerner, the list goes on as the Cubs have been on quite a run lately in terms of successful first-round picks. However, nothing could've prepared them for the past two MLB drafts, where they have brought a whole new meaning to hitting on your first-round pick. One year after selecting Matt Shaw in the first round and watching him cruise through the Minor Leagues to reach AAA, the Cubs were at it again in 2024 as third baseman Cam Smith put on quite a show last season. Selected No. 14 overall, the former Florida State Seminole had one of the best bats in the country, and it didn't take him long to show everyone why. The big 6-3, 224-pound Smith already has an MLB body build and could get even stronger with more time in the weight room. Going back to his prep days, the bat was already making noise as the raw power he produced in high school had him listed as a top-three-round talent, but he ultimately chose to go to Florida State. After struggling during his freshman season, Smith went to the Cape Cod League to make some swing adjustments, and boy, it paid off in a big way. He returned to Florida State and quickly became one of the better power bats in this year's class. Take a look at his final season in Tallahassee, where Smith earned All-American honors by leading Florida State with a .387 average and 16 homers. That alone was enough for the Cubs to select him in the first round and sign him for more than five million dollars. When you talk about a fast-rising prospect, Smith is the definition of that, as he has played just 32 professional games and is already knocking on the AAA door. What started in Myrtle Beach to begin the season ended with AA Tennessee as Smith put on quite a show. Small sample size or not, Smith did more than hold his own. He combined to hit .313 across those 32 games, walking 15 times and striking out 24. He also connected for seven homers and 24 RBIs, including a six-game stretch with the Pelicans, where he homered in six consecutive games. There is a reason why his name is being discussed in trade talks right now, as other teams can see how valuable he is quickly becoming. Several factors led to his breakout season in 2024, with the biggest one being a reduction in the strikeout rate, which went from a 29% K rate in 2023 to just 15% in 2024. He also closed his batting stance slightly and did a much better job of pitch recognition, which led to better swings and harder contact. Smith is your classic right-handed power-hitting threat. He not only squares up the ball to deliver loud contact but also uses his strong hands to generate an incredibly fast swing. Sometimes, his aggressive approach can get the best of him, as he tends to get too pull-happy at times, which leads to plenty of ground ball outs. However, given the power display he showed this season, should he start to hit the ball in the air more consistently, there is no reason why he can be a big-time power hitter from gap to gap, which is what you typically look for in a guy at the hot corner. Smith isn't what you would consider a slow runner, but he isn't much of a threat on the bases and will take what the defense gives him. His plus arm makes it easy to stick at the hot corner, but his lack of defense sometimes makes him a liability, as he may need to move to DH or a corner OF spot down the road. Regardless, Smith is one of the hottest names surrounding the trade market right now, and the Cubs know that. Still, you have to move talent to get talent, and if the Cubs want to make a splash, Smith may be the piece to get a deal done.
