Joshua Dwayne Smith (born October 11, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians and Miami Marlins. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and 200 pounds (91 kg), he bats and throws left-handed.
| Josh Smith | |
|---|---|
| Leones de Yucatán – No. 6 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1989-10-11) October 11, 1989 (age 32) Pleasant Hill, Missouri | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 25, 2019, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics (through August 19, 2020) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 6.91 |
| Strikeouts | 18 |
| Teams | |
| |
Smith attended Pleasant Hill High School, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Smith played college baseball for the Wichita State Shockers baseball team during 2009–2012.[1]
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Smith in the 25th round of the 2012 MLB draft.[2] During his time in the Pirates organization from 2012 through 2016, he played for the Gulf Coast Pirates, State College Spikes, West Virginia Power, Bradenton Marauders, Altoona Curve, and Indianapolis Indians.
On December 8, 2016, Boston Red Sox selected Smith from the Pirates in the minor league phase of the 2016 Rule 5 draft.[3] In 2017 and 2018, he played for the Portland Sea Dogs, and the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Smith elected free agency following the 2018 season and signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on December 1, 2018.[4]
In 2019, Smith began the season with the Columbus Clippers, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate. The Indians selected Smith's contract on May 25, 2019.[5] He made his major league debut that evening against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing no earned runs and striking out three batters in 1+2⁄3 innings.[6] Smith was designated for assignment on September 13, 2019,[7] after he appeared in eight games, striking out 12 in 8+1⁄3 innings with a 5.40 ERA.
On September 14, 2019, the Miami Marlins claimed Smith off waivers.[7] Smith made six appearances with the Marlins, recording an 8.31 ERA and striking out two batters in 4+1⁄3 innings.
On October 16, 2019, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.[8] On July 24, 2020, Smith was designated for assignment by the Reds organization.
On July 27, 2020, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Marlins.[9] On August 29, 2020, the Marlins designated Smith for assignment.[10]
On May 3, 2022, Smith signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[11]
Smith is often referred to online and in print as Josh D. Smith, to differentiate him from Josh A. Smith, especially since the two players were teammates for the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2018.[12] The two were also teammates for the Miami Marlins in 2020.[13]