5280 Spotlight Tate Smith
February 2, 2021
2023, Tate Smith, RHP/1B, Eaton
Tate's Big Frame with long levers will catch your eye. The RHP has a high 3/4 release that creates Arm Side Run. Velo has been up to 88-89. Power SL works great from that arm slot and the CH is a ++ Ptich. Continues to show development and maturity on the mound Repeatable Delivery. Ranked #1 in PBR Colorado Rankings
Today we put the 5280 Spotlight on Tate Smith
Scouting Report
6’5” 202 Confident Body Language. Side step transitions to pivot foot. Waist high leg lift with toe down. Balanced. Tall to Fall delivery. Extended stride to open toe with good push through on stride landing. Release point High 3⁄4 Good glove side leverage and creates good torso rotation with slight momentum to glove side. Arm ease on follow through. FB 85-86 in event...have seen at 87. Plus movement and ASR sink! SL 74 continues to improve, in zone with good arm speed. CH 79-80 Great feel and plus rotation, some downward action. Tate is a TOP 2023 in the State of Colorado. Has continued to improve. Has made increases in Velo. Ceiling is very high.
6’4” 190 Small deliberate side step transitions to pivot foot. Rhythm in leg lift with tight coil, toe down. Tall to Fall delivery with long arc on back side. Open toe with good push through on stride landing. True ¾ release, extends glove side and creates good torso rotation with slight momentum to glove side. Arm ease on follow through. FB 80-82 Very good arm side run and sink! SL 71 Ideal release for SL, in zone with good arm speed. CH 76 Great feel and plus rotation, some downward action. Would consider Tate a TOP Follow in the Colorado 2023 Class. Great Pitchability now with HIGH Ceiling. Can project natural Velo jumps. SL has chance to be great!
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6’4”
Run: 4.34 Home to 1st
Hit: RHH Shoulder width open stance. Lowers and sways to back side load. Stride is simple up/down with some weight transfer to 50/50 weight distribution launch. Barrel is parallel to ground, hands high. Load to upright barrel, arm angles maintained to launch. Aggressive rear side acceleration. Hands have downward path with extended clean finish. Stays on balance consistently. Exit Velo 91. Tate is a 2 way player who PBR recognizes as a top 2023 RHP! His athleticism and his desire to develop as a hitter should continue.
Power: Long levers and quickness give a Tate a chance for future power potential.
Arm: 1B Velo 76 Long arc long clean finish. Good positioning of feet prior to throw
Defense: Fields ball deep in stance. Great actions around the bag. Good athlete with tools. Can refine his skill set as he develops