Cam Smith: The Aircraft Carrier

Ben Verlander has Cam Smith #2 on his AL ROTY ballot. Talks about him at 13:30.

 

#3, not #2 my bad.

 

He's learning and he's learning fast. However, fans better not turn on him once he hits a rookie wall or the sophomore slump.

 

The thing that encourages me the most is how skilled he is at working counts already. That's an advanced skill that lots of young players either never develop, or take a while to do it at the big leagues.

 

I was literally in love day 1 in spring training when I saw his first 2 AB’s. You could tell he understands and is capable of controlling the strike zone. Hes gonna be so good if he learns how to tap into his pull side power and hunt balls to run and burn on.
also/ if we can balance the lineup and he can see more LHP that will be good for him.

 

You mean everyone here didn't want Peña dealt after his sophomore year?

 

Cam really be super good when he learns to lay off the breaking ball off the plate.

 

Cam finally showed us what happens when he lifts and pulls a ball.

 

It was damn pretty.
And he knew it.

 

It was a no doubter. Hopefully he gets addicted to that feeling because that is my only critique to his game. He's a line drive hitter.

 

That’s the basic launch angle adjustment that you’ll see as this season goes on and for sure next season.

You can’t teach elite EV though (which he has)…. And thats why Crane is wondering about the Bobby Witt Jr or Julio Rodriguez lock-up strategy.

 

Just so many signs of an impending superstar.

 

CRUSHED

 

He's kinda good

 

This kid has a bright future. Like 30 homerun seasons bright.

 

What if I told you that his bat speed is slightly faster than the guy leading the league in homeruns?

 

He’s got the build, bat speed and ability to control the zone to be a consistent 40+ HR threat in his prime.

 

He’s further along than Tucker was in his age 22 season, with Parades included in the deal it’s hard not to see this as a major trade win for the Astros. Basically traded a year left of Tucker for a young Tucker with no service time.