Tyler Smith (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Tyler Smith

| image = Tyler_Smith_(HvHXz0v0pD8).png

| image_size = 175

|caption=Smith with the Seattle Mariners in 2016

| team =

| number =

| position = Infielder

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|7|1}}

| birth_place = Long Beach, California, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = June 2

| debutyear = 2017

| debutteam = Seattle Mariners

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = June 20

| finalyear = 2017

| finalteam = Seattle Mariners

| statleague = MLB

| statyear =

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .188

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 0

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 1

| teams =

Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2017}})

}}

Tyler Douglas Smith (born July 1, 1991) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners.

Career

=Amateur=

Smith attended Thousand Oaks High School in Thousand Oaks, California and played college baseball at Oregon State University.{{Cite web |last=Potkey |first=Rhiannon |date=2013-06-25 |title=Potkey: Thousand Oaks grad Tyler Smith turns disappointment in lasting memories |url=https://archive.vcstar.com/news/potkey-thousand-oaks-grad-tyler-smith-turns-disappointment-in-lasting-memories-ep-292613192-351674811.html |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=VC Star}} In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Brewster Whitecaps.{{cite web|author= |url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=318353&seasonid=12252 |title=#4 Tyler Smith - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |date= |accessdate=January 9, 2020}}

=Seattle Mariners=

Smith was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 8th round (237th overall) of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. From 2013 to 2016 in the minor leagues, Smith appeared for the rookie–level Pulaski Yankees, High–A High Desert Mavericks, Double–A Jackson Generals, and Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers.

Smith began the 2017 season with Tacoma. On June 2, 2017, Smith was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time after Jean Segura suffered an ankle injury.{{cite news |last=Dutton |first=Bob |date=June 2, 2017 |title=Mixed news for Mariners: Cruz avoids disabled list but not Segura |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/mariners-insider-blog/article154148299.html |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington}} Smith got to bat toward the end of the game for a single plate appearance, facing Tampa Bay Rays reliever Ryne Stanek. On a 2–2 count Smith pulled the ball and recorded his first career hit, a double.{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2017-06-03 |title=Former Logger Tyler Smith Debuts with the Mariners |url=https://northwoodsleague.com/blog/2017/06/03/former-logger-tyler-smith-debuts-mariners/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Northwoods League |language=en-US}} In 10 games for the Mariners, he went 3–for–16 (.188) with 1 RBI. Smith was designated for assignment by Seattle on July 28.{{Cite web|title=Mariners Designate Tyler Smith For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/mariners-designate-tyler-smith-for-assignment.html|access-date=December 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Texas Rangers=

On July 30, 2017, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/rangers-claim-tyler-smith-off-waivers.html|title=Rangers Claim Tyler Smith Off Waivers|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 30, 2017|accessdate=July 30, 2017}} On August 12, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Round Rock Express.{{Cite web|title=Rangers Claim Phil Gosselin From Pirates|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/rangers-claim-phil-gosselin-from-pirates.html|access-date=December 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 13 games for Round Rock, Smith slashed .188/.264/.229 with no home runs and one RBI.

=Atlanta Braves=

On December 14, 2017, the Atlanta Braves selected Smith from the Rangers in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2017-mlb-rule-5-draft-results/c-263351580|title=2017 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick-by-pick|website=MLB.com}} He played in 52 games for the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers in 2018, batting .219/.298/.363 with four home runs and 19 RBI. Smith was released by the Braves organization on July 9, 2018.