Dustin Smith (minors01)

Dustin Thomas Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.

• School Cowley County Community College
• High School Girard High School

• Born May 8, 1981 in High Bridge, NJ USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Dustin Smith reached AA as a player then became a scout. His brother Dan Smith was a major league pitcher.

The Texas Rangers drafted Smith twice, in the 30th round of the 1999 amateur draft out of high school, and in the 38th round of the 2000 amateur draft from junior college. He hit .223/.333/.272 for the 2001 GCL Rangers in his pro debut. In 2002, he backed up Scott Heard for the Savannah Sand Gnats, producing at a .233/.327/.267 clip and throwing out 18% of attempted base-stealers. He hit .302/.388/.395 in 41 games as Heard's backup for the 2003 Stockton Ports. Smith split 2004 between Stockton (.335/.414/.500, 6 HR in 57 G) and the Frisco RoughRiders (3 for 37, 2 BB). In '05, he was with the Bakersfield Blaze (.328/.442/.533 in 36 G) and Frisco (.238/.284/.349 in 20 G). He played for Frisco (12 for 60, 2 BB) and the independent Fort Worth Cats (7 for 21, 2B, 2 BB). Overall, he had batted .271/.357/.368 in 293 minor league games, with 112 runs and 99 RBI. He fielded .986 at catcher, with 43 passed balls; he threw out 24% of attempted base-stealers.

Immediately after retiring as a player, Smith became a Rangers Midwest scout. He signed Nick Green, John Straka, Erik Swanson, Nick Tepesch and Carson Vitale.

Source: 2013 Rangers Media Guide