The Chicago Cubs picked third baseman Cam Smith with the 14th pick of the 2024 MLB Draft and after signing him to a bonus worth $5,070,700, the team assigned the Florida State product to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Single-A. Well, after a slow start Smith is now showing that he’s more than ready for a promotion.
On Thursday night, Smith homered for the third consecutive game at Single-A, bringing his slash line up to .270/.372/.595, through his first 11 games in pro ball.
The 21-year-old produced excellent numbers in college and with huge exit velocity numbers the Cubs jumped at the opportunity to draft Smith with their first round pick. He struggled in his first week with Myrtle Beach, going 2-for-19, with 9 strikeouts in six games. Then, something clicked because in his last five games Smith has been crushing the ball and last night he showed off his power to right field, blasting a two-run homer that got an assist from the wind.
Smith ended the night with three hits and scored twice to go along with the home run. In his last five games the third baseman is 8-for-18, with 3 HR and maybe the best part is that Smith has walked 3 times while only striking out twice in those 21 plate appearances.
If Smith continues this hot streak through the weekend, then there’s a very good chance that he begins next week with the South Bend Cubs at Advanced A-Ball.
The Cubs drafted Matt Shaw 13th overall in 2023 and so far Cam Smith is following suit as a nice-looking prospect out of college.
The 6-foot-3 third baseman is currently ranked No. 8 in a loaded Cubs farm system according to MLB Pipeline.
Bonus, Cam Smith seems like a guy who is very easy to root for.
“My grandma got me into the sport of baseball, she’s a huge Cubs fan … I was more excited for her than myself.”
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 15, 2024
Cam Smith discusses his family ties to the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/fvY5wbDkhd
