Chris Smith (minors01)

Christopher Anthony Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Vallejo High School
• Born January 14, 1974

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Infielder Chris Smith played in the California Angels system from 1992 to 1994 and in 1996.

In the 1991 World Junior Championship, he hit .351 in 37 at-bats as the USA took Bronze. He was taken by the Angels in the 2nd round of the 1992 amateur draft, one pick after outfielder Danny Clyburn and in the same round as future Hall of Famer Todd Helton and future star Jason Giambi. A First Team High School All-American in 1992, he was a compensation pick for the Kansas City Royals signing Wally Joyner.

In 1993, he had perhaps his best campaign, as he slashed .268/.345/.385 with 7 home runs, 60 RBI and 107 hits in 110 games between the Palm Springs Angels and Cedar Rapids Kernels. On the back of that performance, he was rated the #7 prospect in the Angels chain going into 1994 by Baseball America, between pitcher Ryan Hancock and catcher Chris Turner. He slashed .261/.322/.342 for the Midland Angels in 1994, missed all of 1995, returned for 60 games in 1995 and was out of pro ball after that.

Overall, Smith hit .257/.326/.376 with 21 home runs, 188 RBI and 322 hits in 336 games over four seasons.