In 2009, Smith split the season between the Kingsport Mets and the Savannah Sand Gnats. He went 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA with Kingsport, striking out 12 batters in 13 innings. In August, he appeared in six games and allowed only three hits and no runs.  With the Sand Gnats, he played in nine games posting a 5.87 ERA.

A native of Walnut Cove, N.C., Smith played for the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2008, appearing in eight games and posting a 4.02 ERA. He had 16 strikeouts in 15.2 innings played.

Smith was selected by the New York Mets in the 42nd round of the MLB Draft after playing college baseball for Catawba College. The school’s all-time winningest pitcher posted a 31-13 record with two saves, a 4.36 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 326 innings in four seasons. In 2007, he ranked fifth in SAC in wins and shared the team lead. In 2006 he was named the South Atlantic Conference pitcher of the year with a 13-1 record.  His 13 wins also set a school record.