The Red Sox have acquired the services of pitcher Adam Smith from the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League, according to an announcement from the team.
Smith, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, recently joined Evansville in March but didn’t stay long. He was selected in the 14th round of the 2021 draft by the Padres from UNC Wilmington and spent his first three professional seasons with San Diego before being released in December.
In 2023, Smith spent the entire season with the Padres’ High-A affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he appeared in 30 games, posting a 5.83 ERA and a 4.49 FIP with 35 strikeouts and 21 walks over 41 2/3 innings of relief.
Originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, Smith worked on refining his pitching mechanics during the offseason at Ascent Athlete, a facility in nearby Garnet Valley. The adjustments, including a lowered arm slot, aimed to enhance his natural delivery and pitch effectiveness.
According to a recent Instagram update from Ascent Athlete, Smith showcased impressive fastball velocity, averaging 93.6 mph and hitting a peak of 96.1 mph. Additionally, he developed a highly effective breaking ball with significant movement and refined his changeup to serve as a reliable secondary pitch against hitters from both sides of the plate.
Now 24, Smith has been assigned to High-A Greenville and is expected to contribute out of the bullpen for the Drive. His return to affiliated baseball offers an intriguing opportunity to gauge the impact of his revamped pitching repertoire.
