Commitment To Oakland Brings Satisfaction To Smith

WALKER - His first-ever visit to Oakland was memorable. The second one sealed the deal for Carson Smith.

“I’d never been there before but when I got there I was very surprised,” Smith said of a Sept. 27 visit with his father to the campus in Rochester Hills. “I really liked the atmosphere and I loved (head) coach (Jordan) Banfield where they’re headed with the program.”

An offer came on that trip, but approval for Smith was still needed from one more person.

“Two weeks later I went back with my mom,” the sixth-rated 2023 outfielder in Michigan reflected. “She wanted to see everything about it.”

Acceptance came and a commitment to Oakland took place that evening.

“I like the campus, the facilities and the coaching staff,” Smith explained. “I like how coach Banfield is determined to change the culture there. He’s already started doing that.”

The 29th-ranked junior in the state made an impression on Oakland as well.

“They mentioned that I track everything well in the outfield and that I have a strong arm,” Smith noted.

The Grandville High School 11th-grader showed that ability while playing in the PBR Future Games in Georgia back in early August.

“They had already seen me before but they also watched me there,” pointed out Smith, who showed off his ability to play anywhere in the outfield while also throwing out a runner with his powerful arm. “The Future Games were very important for me. Just being there showed I stand out from others and can play at a high level.”

That is something Smith has wanted to do since before high school.

“Eighth grade is when I knew I wanted to do baseball,” Smith related. “It’s when I started playing for the Diamonds. Before that I wasn’t sure between football and baseball.”

It became realistic this past spring high school season and during summer ball, with schools like Central Michigan taking an interest.

“I’ve really focused on my approach and driving the ball gap to gap,” Smith said about his development, crediting high school coach Matt Cook and travel coaches Brent Peterson, Joel Schipper, Alex Hoover, Robert Greenman and Billy Peterson with helping the cause. “I want to be a good situational hitter. I’ve also worked hard to develop my arm strength for the outfield.

“My goal is to just keep getting faster,and stronger with a better arm while improving my approach.”

Smith, who carries a 3.72 GPA at Grandville, plans to major in business at Oakland while being an asset on the ball field for the Horizon League program.

“I’m very competitive and like to win, so I’ll bring a winning mentality,” Smith explained. “I can fit anywhere in the order, I’ve been one through six my whole life, and can play anywhere in the outfield. So with me you’re going to get someone who is versatile and competitive.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process brought some anxiety before a commitment was finally made to the university 21/4 hours from Smith’s home.

“It was stressful at times wondering what I was going to do and hoping it would all work out and it did,” Smith said. “Once I committed I knew exactly where I wanted to be.

“It was very exciting and great to get a bunch of support from close friends and family,” Smith added. “Coach Banfield was also excited. It’s great to be wanted and that one of my biggest life goals has been accomplished.”