Burch Smith

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Burch Smith

| caption = Smith with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015

| image = Burch Smith pitching for the Rays in 2015 Extend Spring Training (Cropped).jpg

| team = Pittsburgh Pirates

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|4|12}}

| birth_place = San Antonio, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = May 11

| debutyear = 2013

| debutteam = San Diego Padres

| debut2league= NPB

| debut2date = April 19

| debut2year = 2022

| debut2team = Saitama Seibu Lions

| debut3league= KBO

| debut3date = April 1

| debut3year = 2023

| debut3team = Hanwha Eagles

| statyear = 2024 season

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 9–12

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 5.79

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 230

| stat2year = 2022 season

| stat2league = NPB

| stat21label = Win–loss record

| stat21value = 1–0

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 3.29

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 37

| stat3year = 2023 season

| stat3league = KBO

| stat31label = Win–loss record

| stat31value = 0–0

| stat32label = Earned run average

| stat32value = 6.75

| stat33label = Strikeouts

| stat33value = 2

| teams =

San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2013}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2018}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2019}})
San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2019}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Saitama Seibu Lions ({{npby|2022}})
Hanwha Eagles ({{by|2023}})
Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2024}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Burch Taylor Smith (born April 12, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Miami Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions, and in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles. Smith was drafted by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB draft and made his MLB debut for the team in 2013.

Amateur career

Smith attended Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas. Pitching for the baseball team, in his high school career he was 11–3 with a 1.68 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 150 innings.{{cite web |author=Burch Smith |date= |title=Burch Smith Profile – SoonerSports.com – Official Athletics Site of the Oklahoma Sooners – The Official Site of Oklahoma Sooner Sports |url=https://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208791872 |access-date=November 20, 2019 |publisher=Nmnathletics.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024}}

At Howard College, Smith's team was the 2009 NCJAA National Champion as he was 4–0 with a 3.05 ERA, and he was named the 2010 Western Junior College Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, after going 11–2 with a 2.50 ERA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.njcaa.org/sports/bsb/2009-10/div1/teams/HowardCollege/players/BurchSmith.html|title = 2009-10 - NJCAA Stats}} Smith was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 49th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft and the 20th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft out of Howard, but did not sign either time.{{Cn|date=January 2024}} He then attended the University of Oklahoma as a junior, going 10–4, and was 2011 All-Big 12 honorable mention.{{cite web|title=Burch Smith Bio|url=http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208791872|publisher=SoonerSports.com|access-date=November 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525024356/http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208791872&DB_OEM_ID=31000|archive-date=May 25, 2019|url-status=dead}}

Professional career

=San Diego Padres=

The San Diego Padres selected Smith in the 14th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft; he signed for a signing bonus of $250,000.{{cite web |url=http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060711aaa.html |title=Trio of Pitchers Drafted to Conclude Day Two |publisher=Soonersports.com |date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524040421/http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/060711aaa.html |archive-date=May 24, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.wset.com/story/14861003/padres-draft-ous-burch-smith-in-14th-round |title=Padres Draft OU's Burch Smith In 14th Round |publisher=Wset.com |access-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233842/http://www.wset.com/story/14861003/padres-draft-ous-burch-smith-in-14th-round |archive-date=December 2, 2013 }}{{cite web|last=Center|first=Bill|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/28/padres-taking-notice-lake-elsinore-rhp-burch-smith/ |title=Padres taking notice of Lake Elsinore RHP Burch Smith |publisher=UTSanDiego.com |date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=148022 |title=Burch Smith |publisher=The Baseball Cube |date= |access-date=November 20, 2019}}

Pitching for the High–A Lake Elsinore Storm in 2012, Smith went 9–6 with a 3.85 earned run average and 137 strikeouts. He started the 2013 season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions.{{cite web|last=Center|first=Bill|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/28/burch-smith-getting-close-to-padres/# |title=RHP Burch Smith closes on Padres with 98-MPH heat |publisher=UTSanDiego.com |date=April 28, 2013|access-date=May 15, 2013}} He was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week in April 2013,{{cite web|last=Center|first=Bill|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/16/burch-smith-joe-ross-win-pitching-honors/ |title=Smith, Ross named Pitchers of the Week |publisher=UTSanDiego.com |date=April 16, 2013|access-date=May 15, 2013}} and the Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April with a 1.38 ERA over five starts. Smith made his Major League debut Saturday, May 11, 2013, against the Tampa Bay Rays as he was called up from Double-A.{{cite web|last=Center|first=Bill|title=Burch Smith debuts for Padres|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/May/10/burch-smith-debuts-for-padres/|publisher=UTSanDiego.com|access-date=November 23, 2013|date=May 10, 2013}}

In his Major League debut, Smith pitched a clean first inning, striking out his first two batters, but he did not record an out in the second, giving up six earned runs on five hits. He was sent down to the Tucson Padres of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League (PCL) on May 22 after allowing 15 earned runs in three starts. He was recalled on June 8, but did not make an appearance before he was optioned back to Tucson on June 10. He came back to the Major League club on June 28 after posting a 2.54 ERA in five starts overall with Tucson.{{cite web|title=Padres Recall RHP Burch Smith from Triple-A Tucson|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130628&content_id=52047514&vkey=pr_sd&c_id=sd|work=Padres Press Release|publisher=MLB.com|access-date=November 23, 2013|date=June 28, 2013}} Smith joined the bullpen where he made three appearances before being sent down again on July 5.

Smith made seven more starts for Tucson, striking out 10 in his final appearance, and then returned to the Padres' rotation with the September roster expansion.{{cite web|last=Sanders|first=Jeff|title=On Deck: Smith returns to rotation|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/sep/04/padres-on-deck-burch-smith-andrew-cashner/|publisher=UTSanDiego.com|access-date=November 23, 2013|date=September 4, 2013}} He made four more starts for the Padres in 2013, allowing 10 runs with 31 strikeouts.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On December 19, 2014, the Padres traded Smith, Jake Bauers, and René Rivera to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade that saw the Rays trade Wil Myers, Jose Castillo and Ryan Hanigan to the Padres, the Padres trade Joe Ross and a player to be named later to the Washington Nationals, and Washington trade Steven Souza and Travis Ott to Tampa Bay.{{cite web|url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/24900755/padres-rays-and-nationals-complete-wil-myers-trade|title=Padres, Rays and Nationals complete Wil Myers trade|first=Chris|last=Cwick|work=CBS Sports|date=December 19, 2014|access-date=December 19, 2014}} Smith missed the 2015 season after having Tommy John surgery{{cite web|author=foxsports |url=http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/tampa-bay-ray-s-burch-smith-out-for-season-after-tommy-john-surgery-040615 |title=Rays' Burch Smith out for season after Tommy John surgery |work=FOX Sports |date=April 6, 2015 |access-date=November 20, 2019}} and was outrighted following the season.

=Kansas City Royals=

The New York Mets selected Smith in the Rule 5 draft on December 14, 2017, and immediately traded him to the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-add-pair-of-high-picks-in-rule-5-draft/c-263544032|title=KC adds pair of high picks in Rule 5 Draft|last=Flannagan|first=Jeffrey|work=MLB.com|date=December 14, 2017|access-date=December 14, 2017}} After a strong spring training, Smith was chosen as a member of the bullpen for Opening Day. In 2018 with Kansas City he was 1–6 with a 6.92 ERA in 38 games (6 starts), in which he pitched 78 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smith-003bur |title=Burch Smith Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |access-date=November 20, 2019}}

On November 26, 2018, Smith was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/royals-claim-conner-greene-designate-burch-smith-for-assignment.html|title=Royals Claim Conner Greene, Designate Burch Smith For Assignment|publisher=MLB Trade Rumours|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=November 26, 2018}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On January 11, 2019, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/brewers-sign-burch-smith-minors.html|title=Brewers Sign Burch Smith To Minor League Contract|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 11, 2019|access-date=January 11, 2019}} He was assigned to the San Antonio Missions of the PCL to start the 2019 season, for whom he was 6–3 with a 2.33 ERA in 15 starts, in which he pitched {{frac|77|1|3}} innings and struck out 85 batters. He had his contract selected to the major leagues on May 5.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} With the Brewers, he was 0–1 with a 7.82 ERA in {{frac|12|2|3}} innings. On August 9, Smith was designated for assignment.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

=San Francisco Giants=

On August 12, 2019, Smith was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/giants-claim-reliever-burch-smith-brewers-moves-keep-coming|title=Giants claim reliever Burch Smith from Brewers as moves keep coming|author=Alex Pavlovic |work=NBC Sports Bay Area|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 12, 2019}} With the Sacramento River Cats of the PCL, he was 1–1 with a 4.20 ERA in 15 innings in which he struck out 18 batters. With the Giants, he was 0–0 with a 2.08 ERA in eight innings. Smith was designated for assignment by the Giants on February 10, 2020.

=Oakland Athletics=

On February 15, 2020, the Giants traded Smith to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash considerations. This trade was the first swap involving a major league player between the Bay Area rivals since December 4, 1990, when the Athletics acquired Ernest Riles from the Giants for Darren Lewis and minor league starting pitcher Pedro Pena.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/burch-smith-acquired-by-a-s-from-giants| title = Burch Smith acquired by A's from Giants| website = MLB.com}}

Smith picked up wins in his first two appearances for the Athletics, in which he allowed two hits and a walk in three scoreless innings combined. He was credited with his first career save on August 7, 2020, by throwing the last three innings of a 7–2 win over the Houston Astros, during which he allowed only one hit and no runs. On August 17, Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list with a forearm strain, two days after surrendering his first runs of the season to his former team, the Giants, on a three-run home run. In 6 games for the A's, Smith registered an ERA of 2.25 in 12 innings.

Smith pitched in 31 games for Oakland in 2021, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 28 strikeouts. On September 14, 2021, the A's designated Smith for assignment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/yankees-dfa-brooks-kriske-re-sign-sal-romano.html|title = Yankees Designate Brooks Kriske, Re-Sign Sal Romano| date=September 14, 2021 }}

On October 12, Smith elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/players-recently-electing-free-agency-2.html|title = Players Recently Electing Free Agency| date=October 14, 2021 |location=MLB Trade Rumors|access-date=October 14, 2021}}

=Saitama Seibu Lions=

On January 18, 2022, Smith signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).{{Cite web|url=https://whitecleatbeat.com/2022/01/18/burch-smith-heading-npb-signing-seibu-lions/|title = Burch Smith heading to NPB after signing with Seibu Lions|date = January 18, 2022}}

=Hanwha Eagles=

On December 18, 2022, Smith signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/kbos-hanwha-eagles-sign-burch-smith.html | title=KBO's Hanwha Eagles Sign Burch Smith | date=December 18, 2022 }} He was released on April 19, 2023, after suffering a strain in his throwing shoulder. Smith had suffered the injury in his only appearance for Hanwha, a start in which he exited partway through the third inning.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/04/kbos-hanwha-eagles-sign-ricardo-sanchez-release-burch-smith.html | title=KBO's Hanwha Eagles Sign Ricardo Sanchez, Release Burch Smith | date=April 19, 2023 }}

=Miami Marlins=

On January 2, 2024, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/rays-sign-burch-smith-to-minor-league-deal.html | title=Rays Sign Burch Smith to Minor League Deal | date=January 5, 2024 }} On March 27, after exercising the upward mobility clause in his contract, he was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations and subsequently selected to the 40–man roster.{{Cite web|title=Marlins To Acquire Burch Smith, Select Him To 40-Man Roster|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/marlins-to-acquire-burch-smith-select-him-to-40-man-roster.html|access-date=March 27, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 27, 2024 |language=en}} In 25 appearances for the Marlins, Smith compiled a 4.25 ERA with 23 strikeouts across {{fraction|29|2|3}} innings pitched. On June 14, Smith was designated for assignment by Miami.{{Cite web|title=Marlins Designate Burch Smith For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/marlins-designate-burch-smith-for-assignment.html|access-date=June 14, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 14, 2024 |language=en}} He was released by the Marlins organization on June 20.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2024/06/20 | title=Transactions | website=MLB.com }}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On June 28, 2024, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite web|title=Orioles sign Niko Goodrum and Burch Smith, plus other notes|url=https://www.masnsports.com/blog/orioles-sign-niko-goodrum-and-burch-smith-plus-other-notes|access-date=June 28, 2024|website=masnsports.com|date=June 28, 2024 |language=en}} After two scoreless appearances for the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, Baltimore selected Smith's contract, adding him to the active roster.{{Cite web|title=Orioles Select Burch Smith|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/orioles-select-burch-smith.html|access-date=July 11, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 11, 2024 |language=en}} In 25 appearances for the Orioles, Smith compiled a 2–1 record and 5.74 ERA with 23 strikeouts across {{fraction|26|2|3}} innings pitched. On October 31, Smith was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Norfolk, but rejected the assignment in favor of free agency.{{cite news |title=Corbin Burnes among 8 Orioles entering MLB free agency pool |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42116745/corbin-burnes-8-orioles-entering-mlb-free-agency-pool |access-date=October 31, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=October 31, 2024}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On January 6, 2025, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web|title=Pirates Sign Burch Smith, Bryce Johnson To Minor League Deals|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/pirates-sign-burch-smith-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=January 13, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}