Cam Smith (baseball)

Cam Smith
Houston Astros – No. 11
Right fielder
Born: (2003-02-22) February 22, 2003
Lake Worth, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 27, 2025, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through July 7, 2025)
Batting average.282
Home runs7
Runs batted in39
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Cameron Vaughn Smith (born February 22, 2003) is an American professional baseball right fielder and third baseman for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.

Amateur career

Smith attended Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida.[1] As a senior in 2022, he was the Sun Sentinel 7A-6A Player of the Year after hitting .435 with six home runs and 32 runs batted in (RBI).[2] He was also a finalist for the Palm Beach Post's Baseball Player of the Year.[3] Smith committed to Florida State University to play college baseball.[4]

As a freshman at Florida State in 2023, Smith started 51 games and hit .258/.326/.517 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI over 209 at bats. After the season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star and received the league's Outstanding Pro Prospect award.[5][6] Smith entered his sophomore season in 2024 as a top prospect for the 2024 Major League Baseball draft.[7][8] He returned that season as Florida State's starting third baseman.[9]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs selected Smith in the first round, with the 14th overall selection, of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft. On July 20, 2024, Smith signed with the Cubs for a $5.07 million bonus.[10] He split the campaign between the Single–A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, High–A South Bend Cubs, and Double–A Tennessee Smokies. In 32 games split between the three affiliates, Smith slashed .313/.396/.609 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, and two stolen bases.[11]

Houston Astros

On December 13, 2024, the Cubs traded Smith, Isaac Paredes, and Hayden Wesneski to the Houston Astros in exchange for Kyle Tucker.[12]

On March 27, 2025, the Astros selected Smith's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster.[13][14][15] Having previously displayed uniform number 24—already retired in tribute of Jimmy Wynn—Smith chose number 11 in honor of former Florida State head coach Mike Martin.[16] He made his major league debut as the starting right fielder on Opening Day at Daikin Park versus the New York Mets. In his first at bat, he got his first major league hit, a single to opposite field off the first pitch from starter Clay Holmes.[17] On April 11, Smith produced his first major league home run and stolen base, at home versus the Los Angeles Angels.[18] On June 14, Smith's ground ball single up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the ninth delivered his first career walk-off hit for a 3–2 win over the Minnesota Twins.[19]

References

  1. ^ Smarr, Emilee (July 18, 2022). "Cam Smith set to join Palm Beach Central pipeline to MLB". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  2. ^ "Palm Beach 7A-6A baseball player of the year: Cameron Smith, Palm Beach Central senior". Sun Sentinel. June 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "The Post's All-County baseball: Check out Player of the Year nominees". The Palm Beach Post.
  4. ^ "New freshmen look to impact FSU baseball". FSU News.
  5. ^ "#13 Cameron Smith - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Brett Nevitt (October 3, 2023). "FSU Baseball: Cam Smith discusses the adjustments he made in summer ball, year two with Link Jarrett". 247sports.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "Top 20 college prospects for '24 Draft". MLB.com.
  8. ^ "NEW: Top 100 Draft prospects for '24". MLB.com.
  9. ^ "Wellington's Cam Smith credits meditation in scintillating start with Florida State baseball". The Palm Beach Post.
  10. ^ "Cubs sign first-round pick Cam Smith". MLB Trade Rumors. July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Cam Smith prepared for expectations as centerpiece of Kyle Tucker blockbuster trade". The New York Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "Cubs acquire three-time All-Star OF Tucker from Houston (source)". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  13. ^ "Astros designate Cooper Hummel for assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  14. ^ Maisonet III, Eddie (March 25, 2025). "Astros top prospect, 22, rewarded for standout spring with roster spot". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  15. ^ Rogers, Jesse (March 25, 2025). "Cam Smith, 22, makes opening day roster for Astros". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  16. ^ Young, Matt (March 28, 2025). "Astros' Cam Smith wears No. 11 to pay respect to Florida State legend Mike Martin". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  17. ^ "Hader strikes out Soto with 2 on to save Astros' 3–1 win over Mets". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 27, 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  18. ^ "Díaz's first career grand slam helps Houston Astros to 14–3 rout of Los Angeles Angels". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  19. ^ Kawahara, Matt (June 14, 2025). "A rookie's moment. Cam Smith delivers walk-off single to lift Houston Astros over Minnesota Twins". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
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