I know he has only had 2 appearances and has had up and down success in the minors with the Sox but the Red Sox have lacked a reliable long relief guy ever since Tavarez and Snyder disappeared, and this kid seems to have the right make up of a long relief pitcher. Granted he surrendered a GS to Glaus on a bad pitch, he has seemed to mix in a great variety of fastballs, curveballs, and changeups and really fooled some of the hitters on the D-Backs last night. His early returns have been great through 6 innings and he is at an age (27) where most pitchers begin to hit their prime. His numbers through the 6 innnings are right on mark with his performance in AAA this season (1.52 ERA, 5 to 1 k/bb ratio).
Any thoughts?
Full Version: Chris Smith
Here's hoping he can be a solid contributer consuming low-leverage innings. Too early to tell, though, whether his success will hold.
Soxprospects.com seem a little over enthusiastic in their scouting report.
I'm not sure what we can expect from this kid. Last year he wasn't that great having a .317 BAA, a 0.92 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 82/42. This year he was posting a .195 BAA, 0.67 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 40/7 in AAA.
QUOTE
Scouting Report: Average 89-93 mph fastball with a power 82 mph breaking curve and a pretty good change-up. Good knowledge of pitching. Shows starter potential, but may need to add some speed to his fastball to compete at MLB level. Missed most of 2002 season after an ATV accident, from which he took a couple years to recover fully. Great preparation skills. Throws off-speed pitches for strikes, often at unexpected counts. Pounds the strike zone with great command, doesn't walk many batters. Works quickly on the mound. Similar style to Mike Mussina or Greg Maddux. Converted to a part-time reliever in 2007 where he demonstrated some good success, particularly against left-handed batters.
I'm not sure what we can expect from this kid. Last year he wasn't that great having a .317 BAA, a 0.92 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 82/42. This year he was posting a .195 BAA, 0.67 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 40/7 in AAA.
QUOTE(Red Sox Fan2 @ Jun 25 2008, 03:26 PM) 
Soxprospects.com seem a little over enthusiastic in their scouting report.
I'm not sure what we can expect from this kid. Last year he wasn't that great having a .317 BAA, a 0.92 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 82/42. This year he was posting a .195 BAA, 0.67 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 40/7 in AAA.
I'm not sure what we can expect from this kid. Last year he wasn't that great having a .317 BAA, a 0.92 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 82/42. This year he was posting a .195 BAA, 0.67 GO/AO, and a K/BB ratio of 40/7 in AAA.
I guess I'll defer to thanman on this and say that it is way too early to tell but regarding the sox prospects report and after watching him so far, he definitely finds the strike zone regularly and the shoulder tendinitis he has had in the past is probably what caused his walk ratio to be high with slightly bad command. The history of shoulder problems is probably the only thing that worries me about his chances of staying as a long relief option.
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