Smith signs contract, hits grand slam in first at bat

First, the 20-year-old son of Les and Carolyn Smith was drafted in the 27th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers. Though Smith went lower in the draft than expected after standout collegiate seasons at both Louisiana-Lafayette and St. Louis Community College at Meramac, simply hearing his name called was somewhat overwhelming.

"Cleveland called and said they were taking me in the 12th round, but they passed and they were looking at taking me in the 28th or 29th round before Detroit called and took me in the 27th round," said Smith. "It was the best phone call I've ever gotten in my life. Hearing your name called out was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and after that it was just a flood of emotions because I've worked so hard to get to where I am now, but hopefully this is just the beginning."

While being drafted was a dream come true for the local standout, the hard part came when Smith had to decide whether to fulfill a commitment and continue his collegiate career at Ole Miss, or sign a contract with the Tigers and go to work.

Smith chose the latter.

"I thought about going to Ole Miss for a year and trying again next year to get drafted. It was a hard choice, but after thinking about it for a week, my heart told me to sign a contract and I did it simply for the love of the game," said Smith.

After making the decision to sign with the Tigers, everything started moving very quickly. Less than 24 hours after agreeing to terms, he was on a plane headed for Tampa, Fla., before being taken to his new home at the Detroit Tigers spring training complex Tiger Town in Lakeland, Fla.

"Where the Tigers actually play in spring training is 100 yards from our field, so we get to see that field for motivation to get there one day," added Smith. "Right now I'm living in a dorm and loving it, but it's baseball from the time I get up until really late in the day."

As a member of the Gulf Coast League Tigers, Smith plays one, nine-inning game every day at noon before continuing his conditioning program at the conclusion of each contest.

"This has been a dream of mine for so long, and I think I've got the greatest job in the world right now," added Smith. "Granted, it's minor league baseball, but I get to go out every day and do something I love while working toward the ultimate goal of moving up and being in the big leagues one day playing for the Detroit Tigers. Honestly, it's just an amazing feeling and I'm on a mission to make it to the top."

After arriving in Lakeland, Smith earned the opportunity to start against the GCL Yankees on Wednesday, June 23. The result of his first at bat with the Tiger organization, with three aboard, was a grand slam. The blast was one that that Smith will never forget.

"Oh man what a feeling. Trotting around the bases; it was a surreal moment. All the hard work I've done in my life led up to that moment," he said. "When I ran back on the field I almost got teary-eyed thinking about all the times my dad and I went to the field, stayed in the weight room to work out and the times I went to school early just to get in the cage and hit. It really hit me that all that dedication was now starting to pay off."

Smith said he has heard from many well-wishers from Dyersburg since his arrival in Florida, and the right-fielder with the explosive bat had a message for everyone back home.

"I'm just getting started. I'm nowhere near where I want to be. I was the 823rd pick overall so I'll use it as motivation that 822 picks went in front of me. Also, I want to thank everyone for their support and I intend to make Dyersburg proud because I've got a lot of family and friends that have really supported me over the years. I'm not going to stop until I get to where I want to go."

Smith signed a seven-year contract with Detroit, meaning no matter what happens, the Tigers own the rights to the former Trojan for the next seven years.

Chances are, the contract won't be the last for the talented, hard-working kid from Dyersburg busy chasing his dream.