Shad Smith took quarterback mentality to 6 seasons, AAA
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Shad Smith didn't pitch in college until his senior year. Instead he played football, quarterback at Lamar University, The Shreveport Times wrote in 1994.
His arm, though, ultimately got him signed by the Yankees as a pitcher, The Times wrote.
"I still think I have that quarterback mentality of always being prepared, knowing the hitters, knowing the different bunt coverages, things like that," Smith told The Times.
Smith's pro baseball career ultimately covered six seasons. He topped out at AAA.
Smith's career began in 1990, signed by the Yankees as an undrafted free agent out of Lamar.
In his 1988 campaign with the Lamar football team, Smith had thrown for 662 yards and seven touchdowns in the team's first three games. The Arizona Republic even called Smith a pro prospect ahead of a game at Arizona State.
By 1990, Smith was with the Yankees. He played his first season at single-A Greensboro and high-A Fort Lauderdale. He saw 16 games, 13 starts at Greensboro and one relief outing at Fort Lauderdale.
That August, he just missed a no-hitter with Greensboro, a single just out of reach of his shortstop proving the only hit on the night, The Greensboro News and Record wrote.
"It's sort of strange in a way," Smith told The News and Record after that effort. "I didn't feel like I had a lot of stuff early in the game, and then it all came together."
Smith returned to Greensboro for 1991, then saw high-A Prince William in 1992. He saw 36 mostly relief outings at Prince William, with a 3.56 ERA.
He then moved to the Giants and AA Shreveport for 1993. He saw 24 outings, 13 starts, with a 3.76 ERA.
For 1994, he saw 21 starts back at Shreveport, then five starts at AAA Phoenix. He went 7-11 on the year, with a 4.36 ERA.
He started the 1994 campaign 2-0, with a 0.87 ERA, including eight shutout innings in one outing against Tulsa, The Times wrote.
"My changeup was effective. It's a pitch I've been working on," Smith told The Times of the Tulsa outing. "I was able to get ahead in the count and put the ball where I wanted to."
Smith returned for two starts at single-A Burlington in 1995 to end his career.
- Greensboro News and Record, Aug. 8, 1990: Shad Smith just misses no-hitter in Hornet win
- Shreveport Times, April 21, 1994: Smith is thrower turned pitcher
- Shreveport Times, April 24, 1994: Coach feels offense set to explode
Made the Majors:1,460-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,137-68.2%-X