Prospect Q&A: OF Edwin Smith
October 10, 2017
Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director
The Prep Baseball Report Mississippi scouting staff recently sat down with Jackson Academy outfielder to discuss his recent commitment to Meridian Community College. Below is a transcript of our question and answer session:
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Smith: At first, I had no idea what to expect. The only things I knew about the recruiting process came from my older friends who had gone through the process. As I started to draw looks, I learned a pretty good bit about it.
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Smith: The distance and location did not play a factor into my decision. I did not mind traveling and was looking for the place that I thought would be the best fit.
PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Smith: MCC first saw me at JA around the beginning of my junior season. After the state games of Mississippi tournament, our relationship started to get a lot stronger.
PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Smith: The best player I have faced is definitely JT Ginn because he was mid to upper 90’s and had a nasty slider and change up that he mixed in very well.
PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Smith: I wanted to play college baseball ever since I was a little kid, so I have always been pretty serious about baseball. The older I got, the more I realized how much hard work and dedication it takes to make it to the next level.
PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Smith: I was looking for a place that felt like home and would be a good fit.
PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Smith: My best attributes, as a baseball player is that I am a competitor and hard worker. I want to do whatever it takes for the team to get the win.
PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Smith: The part of my game that needs the most improvement is my power. I need to have the same power hitting right handed as I do hitting left handed. I am improving it by working out and doing a weighted bat program.
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Smith: My best advice to young baseball players would be to make the most out of the opportunities you get. Do not take anything for granted. Give it your all in everything you do.
PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Smith: I like to give my arm a break during the offseason, so I spend most of my time in the weight room and in the cages. I like to always be in the groove hitting left and right handed.
PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Smith: What I like the most about Meridian is the coaches and competitiveness. The coaches there do a great job with their players on and off the field.
PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Smith: UT Martin, MS Delta, and Pearl River
Related Content
Scouting Report
Meridian CC recruit. Athletic 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. The switch hitter has a crouched, open stance with hands in high position. Lowers hands as he works closed with subtle leg lift. Fluid rhythm, balanced approach with a direct path and line drive/opposite field contact. In the outfield, he has fluid footwork, long, clean exchange and average hands. Plays through the ball with a slow gather to throw from a high-¾ slot and solid accuracy.