Ottis Smith played pro baseball over 7 seasons, made AAA
Fond du Lac High hurler Ottis Smith was more than dominant in this May 1989 game, as in striking out 20 of 21 outs in the seven-inning contest dominant, The Fond du Lac Reporter wrote.
"That's the most I've seen in 21 years," Fond du Lac Coach Marty Paulsen told The Reporter. "... I've seen some good pitchers and he's one of the hardest (throwers)."
Smith ended up catching wider attention that year as the Mets selected him late in the draft. When he ultimately signed, he ultimately saw seven pro seasons. He topped out at AAA.
Smith's career began in 1990, signing with the Mets after having been drafted in the 48th round of the 1989 draft out of Fond du Lac.
Smith started with the Mets in 1990 in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 13 starts and went 6-5, with a 1.36 ERA. He moved to short-season Pittsfield for 1991. He went 7-2 there, with a 2.61 ERA.
For 1992, he played at single-A Columbia and high-A St. Lucie. He went 10-11 overall, with a 3.08 ERA. That May, with Columbia, Smith struck out 10 in 7.2 innings of work for a win, The Columbia State wrote.
"It was a great team effort," Smith told The State. "I can't say enough about the defense. They played spectacular behind me."
For 1993, Smith saw St. Lucie again, but also saw five outings, three starts at AAA Norfolk. He went 0-2, with a 6.38 ERA there.
Going into 1994, Smith got traded to the Cubs. He played the season at AA Orlando. After the trade, Smith's father Ottis Smith, Sr., spoke to The Reporter about his son's efforts.
"All he's ever wanted to do is play baseball," Smith Sr. told The Reporter. "And he's always had a good frame of mind about it."
Smith went 8-4 that year, with a 3.07 ERA. He returned to Orlando for 17 starts in 1995 and saw five starts at AAA Iowa. He lost 1996 to injury. Smith got back for one final season in 1997 with the Rangers at high-A Port Charlotte to end his career.
- Fond du Lac Reporter, May 4, 1989: Deja vu?
- Columbia State, May 26, 1992: Mets' pair matches gem pitch for pitch
- Fond du Lac Reporter, March 31, 1994: FDL native traded from Mets to Cubs
Made the Majors:1,468-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,149-68.2%-X