Lance Smith caught, but liked hitting best, saw 3 seasons

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Lance Smith 1991 Asheville Tourists baseball card

Lance Smith played at both catcher and designated hitter for single-A Asheville in 1991, The Asheville Citizen-Times wrote.

He liked them both, but he liked hitting the best, he told The Citizen-Times wrote that August.

"My favorite part of the game is hitting," Smith told The Citizen-Times then. "When I'm not catching, I love playing DH. Being there gives me a chance to hit."

Smith ultimately had chances to hit in the minors over three seasons. He even got some chances to pitch. He topped out at single-A.

Smith's career began in 1990, taken by the Astros in the 32nd round of the draft out of McNeese State University in Louisiana.

Smith started with the Astros in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at short-season Auburn. He saw 39 games and hit .280.

He then played 1991 largely at Asheville. He got into 107 games overall and hit .279, with four home runs. 

For 1992, he played at single-A Burlington. While he continued to catch, he also got eight looks at pitching. That gave him a unique perspective on grand slams, as he both hit one that year and gave one up, both against the same team, The South Bend Tribune wrote.

"It's kind of strange," Smith told The Tribune. "I much prefer hitting them than giving them up."

Smith hit .227 overall in 105 games and gave up seven earned runs in 10.2 innings of work with Burlington. That season marked his last as a pro.

Lance Smith 1991 Asheville Tourists baseball card


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,514
Made the Majors:1,431-31.7%
Never Made Majors:3,083-68.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:581
10+ Seasons in the Minors:359

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