Devin Smeltzer

Devin Paul Smeltzer

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• School San Jacinto College, Florida Gulf Coast University
• High School Bishop Eustace Preparatory School
• Debut May 28, 2019

• Born September 7, 1995 in Voorhees, NJ USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Devin Smeltzer was a childhood cancer survivor before he began his professional pitching career. At the age of 9, he was discovered to have a cancerous lump the size of a grapefruit against his bladder, but was successfully treated.

He was drafted twice, first out of high school in the 33rd round of the 2014 amateur draft by the San Diego Padres, and then in 2016 by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of junior college. he signed on July 6th and immediately began his career with the AZL Dodgers. His first year wasn't so hot, as he was 0-2, 7.59 in 11 games as a reliever, but he pitched a lot better after that. In 2017, he was a combined 7-7, 4.17 in 26 games (25 starts) between the Great Lakes Loons and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and he then started 2018 in AA with the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League. He went 5-5, 4.73 in 23 games then on July 31, 2018, he was one of two prospects acquired by the Minnesota Twins along with Logan Forsythe in return for 2B Brian Dozier. He was assigned to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League after the trade, where he made 11 appearances, all in relief, with no decisions but 4 saves and an ERA of 3.00.

Smeltzer started the 2019 season back in AA with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, but was quickly promoted to AAA after going 3-1, 0.60 in his first 5 starts. Moved up to the Rochester Red Wings, he continued to do well, going 0-1, 1.82 in his first 4 starts, and on May 28th, he received the call to Minnesota when Michael Pineda was placed on the injured list with right knee tendinitis. Starting against the Milwaukee Brewers, he pitched 6 strong innings, giving up no runs on 3 hits and no walks while striking out 7. The game was still scoreless when he left, but the Twins went on to a 5-3 win.

Related Sites

• Devin Smeltzer on mlb.com