A native of Houston, Smith joins the Railroaders with one season of professional baseball under his belt, having spent the 2017 campaign with the San Diego Padres Arizona League affiliate. The 25-year old posted solid numbers that season, going 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 18.2 innings. The peripheral stats backed up Smith’s performance, as the righty allowed only 12 hits and racked up an impressive 26/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Smith was selected by the Padres in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB Draft after wrapping up his collegiate career at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The 6’1, 195-pounder pitched two seasons for SWOSU, making 28 total appearances with 10 starts. In 84.0 innings, he allowed 79 hits, striking out 96 while walking 48. Smith finished 4-6 with a 3.96 ERA in two seasons with the Bulldogs. Prior to his time at Southwestern Oklahoma State, Smith spent two seasons at Labette Community College in Kansas, making 19 starts over the course of 24 total appearances.