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Devin Smeltzer

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Devin Smeltzer
Smeltzer with the St. Paul Saints in 2022
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1995-09-07) September 7, 1995 (age 29)
Voorhees, New Jersey, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 28, 2019, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record9–5
Earned run average4.32
Strikeouts112
Teams

Devin Paul Smeltzer (born September 7, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins.

Amateur career

Smeltzer attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, and played for the school's baseball team. The San Diego Padres selected him in the 33rd round of the 2014 MLB draft, but he chose to enroll at Florida Gulf Coast University to play college baseball for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles rather than sign with the Padres.[1] He pitched to a 1–4 win–loss record and a 6.19 earned run average (ERA) for the Eagles.[2]

In the summer of 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he and Ian Hamilton were named the co-most valuable players of the league's all-star game,[3] and threw a nine-inning no-hitter in which he missed a perfect game by a single walk.[4][5]

After one year with the Eagles, Smeltzer transferred to San Jacinto College, so that he would become eligible in the 2016 MLB draft.[2] Smeltzer had a 9–3 record and a 1.18 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 91+2⁄3 innings pitched for San Jacinto's baseball team. He committed to transfer to Texas Tech University on a baseball scholarship after his sophomore year.[6]

Professional career

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Smeltzer in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft. He signed with the Dodgers rather than transferring to Texas Tech, and received a $500,000 signing bonus.[7] He played for the Arizona Dodgers of the Rookie-level Arizona League after signing and went 0–2 with a 7.59 ERA in 10.2 relief innings pitched. He began the 2017 season with the Great Lakes Loons of the Single–A Midwest League.[8] In 2017, he made ten starts for Great Lakes and 15 (plus one relief appearance) for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the High–A California League. He was 7–7 with a 4.17 ERA between the two teams. Smeltzer began the 2018 season with the Tulsa Drillers of the Double–A Texas League.[9]

Minnesota Twins

On July 31, 2018, the Dodgers traded Smeltzer to the Minnesota Twins, along with Logan Forsythe and Luke Raley, for Brian Dozier.[10] He was assigned to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A Southern League and finished the season there. In 33 games (14 starts) between Tulsa and Chattanooga, he was 5–5 with a 4.52 ERA.[11] He opened the 2019 season with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Southern League, going 3–1 with a 0.60 ERA in 30 innings.[12] He was promoted to the Rochester Red Wings of the Triple-A International League on May 2.[12]

The Twins promoted Smeltzer to the major leagues on May 28, 2019. He made his major league debut the same night, allowing three hits and no runs, while striking out seven in six innings.[13] Smeltzer finished the season with a 3.86 ERA, striking out 18.8% of the batters he faced.[14] In 2020, Smeltzer recorded a 2–0 record and 6.75 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.[15]

On July 17, 2021, Smeltzer was placed on the 60-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.[16] Smeltzer made one appearance for the Twins in 2021 and was outrighted off of the 40-man roster on November 19, 2021.[17]

The Twins promoted Smeltzer back to the major leagues on May 14, 2022.[18] He made 15 appearances for the Twins, including 12 games started, and pitched to a 3.71 ERA in 70+1⁄3 innings. In October, Smeltzer was sent outright to Triple-A and chose to elect free agency on October 11.[19]

Miami Marlins

On January 24, 2023, Smeltzer signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization.[20] On April 9, Smeltzer’s contract was selected to the active roster.[21] Smeltzer made 5 appearances (1 start) for Miami, posting a 6.75 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment by the Marlins on April 28, following the promotion of Johan Quezada.[22] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on May 2.[23]

On May 3, Smeltzer was selected back to the Marlins' roster after Quezada was designated for assignment.[24] He tossed 3.2 innings that day against the Atlanta Braves, surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts. The following day, he was designated for assignment after Chi Chi Gonzalez had his contract selected.[25] Smeltzer again cleared waivers and was outrighted to Jacksonville on May 6.[26] On August 3, Smeltzer was again added to the major league roster.[27] After two scoreless appearances for Miami, he was designated for assignment on August 5.[28] On August 8, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple–A.[29]

On September 1, Smeltzer tossed the first no-hitter in Jumbo Shrimp history, logging 4 strikeouts in 7.0 innings against the Charlotte Knights.[30] On September 6, Smeltzer was once more selected back to Miami's major league roster.[31] After tossing 3+2⁄3 relief innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers the previous day, Smeltzer was designated for assignment for a fourth time on September 8.[32] He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Jacksonville on September 11.[33] Smeltzer elected free agency on October 15.[34]

On December 7, 2023, Smeltzer re-signed with the Marlins on a minor league contract.[35] In 24 relief outings for Triple–A Jacksonville, he compiled a 3.69 ERA with 32 strikeouts and one save across 31+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 10, 2024, Smeltzer was released by the Marlins organization.[36]

Personal life

At the age of nine, Smeltzer was diagnosed with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer.[37] A tumor had grown against his bladder that was connected to his prostate. He was treated with surgery and chemotherapy at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.[38][39] The cancer went into full remission in 2012.[1]

In 2006 while battling cancer, Smeltzer was invited to Citizens Bank Park to meet Phillies players Chase Utley and Cole Hamels.[40] In 2018, Utley was on the Dodgers and Smeltzer, was a member of the Dodgers organization.[40] During spring training, Dodger's manager Dave Roberts told the story to the Dodger's clubhouse and reintroduced the two.[40] After hearing the story, Smeltzer's teammates gave him a round of applause.[40]

References

  1. ^ a b "Cancer fight gives FGCU pitcher a greater purpose". News-press.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "College baseball: Pitcher Devin Smeltzer leaving FGCU for junior college". Archive.naplesnews.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  3. ^ "Standout night for West co-MVPs Smeltzer, Hamilton". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "BASEBALL: Smeltzer throws no-hitter in Cape Cod game". Courierpostonline.com. June 23, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "#14 Devin Smeltzer". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "Former Eustace baseball star Devin Smeltzer hopes to be drafted this weekend". Philly.com. June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Hayes, Marcus (October 16, 2016). "After a year of 'hell,' South Jersey star thankful to be part of the Dodgers". Philly.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "Dodgers prospect Devin Smeltzer continues shutout streak for Loons". MLive.com. April 26, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  9. ^ "Devin Smeltzer Minor League Statistics". Baseball Reference.
  10. ^ Walton, Ryan (July 31, 2018). "Dodgers acquire Brian Dozier from Twins for Logan Forsythe, two minor leaguers". True Blue la. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  11. ^ "Devin Smeltzer Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  12. ^ a b RotoWire Staff (May 4, 2019). "Twins' Devin Smeltzer: Strong Triple-A debut". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "Twins place Michael Pineda on IL, call up Devin Smeltzer". May 28, 2019.
  14. ^ "What To Do With Devin Smeltzer". Twins Daily. January 6, 2020.
  15. ^ "What Does the Future Hold for Devin Smeltzer?".
  16. ^ "Twins Place Derek Law On 10-Day Injured List, Move Randy Dobnak To 60-Day Injured List". mlbtraderumors.com. July 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Twins' Devin Smeltzer: Outrighted to Triple-A". November 19, 2021.
  18. ^ "Alex Kirilloff sent back to minors after five games with Twins". Star Tribune. May 14, 2022.
  19. ^ Haddad, CJ (March 5, 2023). "With 'breath of fresh air,' Smeltzer vying for roster spot". MLB.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Lands with Marlins". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  21. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Contract selected from Triple-A". cbssports.com. April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  22. ^ "Marlins Designate Devin Smeltzer for Assignment". April 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "Transactions".
  24. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Back with big club". cbssports.com. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Devin Smeltzer Stats, Fantasy & News". mlb.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Selected to MLB bullpen". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  28. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: DFA'd by Miami". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  29. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Remains in organization". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "No-Hitter Earns Smeltzer IL Pitcher of the Week Honors". oursportscentral.com. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Marlins Place Sandy Alcantara, Jorge Soler On IL". mlbtraderumors.com. September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Loses 40-man roster spot". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "Marlins' Devin Smeltzer: Remains in organization". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  34. ^ "Transactions".
  35. ^ "Marlins Re-Sign Devin Smeltzer to Minor League Deal". December 7, 2023.
  36. ^ "Transactions".
  37. ^ "LA Dodgers draft pick Devin Smeltzer overcame pediatric cancer". Dailynews.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  38. ^ Ben Rohrbach (February 11, 2014). "Southpaw Devin Smeltzer beats cancer to become one of nation's top pitching prospects". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  39. ^ "Devin Smeltzer Overcame Cancer To Become A Star « CBS Philly". CBS - Philadelphia. May 22, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  40. ^ a b c d "Full video of Chase Utley meeting cancer survivor turned teammate". NBC Sports Philadelphia. March 31, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
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