Scouts are unsure where RHP/OF Blake Smith will eventually play as a professional as he profiles very well in both facets of the game. He has a very good, powerfully built, athletic frame at 6'2", 220. He has long, strong legs that give him a very sturdy pitching base, and as a hitter he resembles Jeff Francoeur. So far during his career he has been used primarily as a reliever, where he excelled coming out of the bullpen for Team USA last summer while not giving up an earned run. He used a low-90s fastball, that occasionally touches the 94-95 range, and hammer curve to record his outs, and the Bears may choose to use him as a starter next spring due to the departures of two of their best weekend starters. However, they also lost their star closer, and may be tempted to use Smith in this role since the team also lost their three best hitters due to the draft, so they don't wear him down physically over the course of the spring. He finished second on Team USA in batting, home runs and slugging, and he profiles perfectly in right field with his power arm/bat combination, and exhibits a pretty good eye at the plate. His swing can get long with the tendency to whiff. I personally like Smith better as a pitcher, and think he could have very good value as a starter even if he is used as the Bears' closer next spring. His arm is relatively fresh, and in the right system he could really flourish.
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