Carson Smith

Carson Donald Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 6", Weight 215 lb.
• School Grayson County College, Texas State University
• High School Midland Christian High School
• Debut September 1, 2014
• Final Game May 14, 2018
• Born October 19, 1989 in Dallas, TX USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Relief pitcher Carson Smith pitched in the Seattle Mariners organization beginning in 2012.

He was drafted by the club in the 8th round of the 2011 amateur draft after two excellent years at Texas State University. In 2010, he was 10-4 with a 3.10 ERA in 24 games (13 starts) and in 2011, he was 9-3 with a 1.99 ERA in 17 games (15 starts). In 113 1/3, he had 129 strikeouts.

The pitcher climbed through the Mariners' minor league ranks quickly. In 2012, he pitched for the High-A High Desert Mavericks and went 5-1 with 15 saves and a 2.90 ERA in 49 games. He struck out 77 batters in 62 innings. In 2013, the pitcher had 15 saves and a 1.80 ERA in 44 games for the Double-A Jackson Generals, striking out 71 batters in 50 innings. He was named a MiLB.com Organization All-Star following the campaign. Smith began 2014 with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He went 1-3, 2.93 with 10 saves in 39 games to earn a September call-up to Seattle, where he made his debut on September 1st. He made 9 appearances for the M's, winning one game and not allowing a run in 8 1/3 innings. That good work earned his a spot in the team's bullpen at the start of 2015 and he had a very solid rookie season. In 70 games, he went 2-5, 2.31, with 92 strikeouts in 70 innings, and earned 13 saves after taking over as the team's closer when Fernando Rodney struggled in the role. On December 7th, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox along with Roenis Elias in return for Ps Jonathan Aro and Wade Miley. In Boston, he was on tap to be main set-up man for newly acquired closer Craig Kimbrel.

Smith's first two seasons in Boston were frustrating ones, as he was limited to 3 games in 2016 and 8 in 2017. He pitched well in the little time he spent on the mound, allowing just 1 earned run in 9 1/3 innings combined, but obviously the Red Sox would have hoped for more work from him. In 2018, he was back in good health at the start of the season, and by mid-May, had already pitched 18 times, with a record of 1-1, 3.77. On May 14th, however, he reacted badly to allowing a solo homer to Khris Davis of the Oakland Athletics, and when he returned to the dugout, he threw his glove with such force that he dislocated his shoulder, landing him on the disabled list once again. He stated later that fatigue could have contributed to the injury, given how much he had pitched already after two curtailed seasons.

In 108 career games, he posted a 2.21 ERA and 182 ERA+, while averaging more than 11 strikeouts per 9 innings. Injuries shortened a promising career, making Smith a what-could-have-been.

Notable Achievements

• Won one World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 (he did not play in the World Series)

Related Sites

• Carson Smith on mlb.com
• BR Minors page
• Texas State bio