Peyton
Smith

PBR ranked Smith, a Vanderbilt commit at the time, as the No. 2 Tennessee prep and the No. 49 overall prep prospect (No. 115 overall) in the 2021 Draft class. Now at Northwest Florida, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound freshman has the potential to pop in '22. Smith's fastball explodes out of his hand, working at 93-98 mph with late run and sink. He throws two distinct breaking balls in a 78-81 mph slider with tight spin and sharp break, and a true curveball at 71-72 with downer action and some bite. The right-hander also shows feel for a deceptive changeup, rounding out his four-pitch mix. Smith has everything scouts look for with his projectable frame, repeatable delivery and present stuff that will only improve. That highly coveted combination gives him the upside of a mid-rotation arm or a back-of-the-bullpen weapon.

A Vanderbilt recruit, Smith has a big, durable frame at 6-foot-4, 212 pounds. His heavy fastball ranges from 93-98 and he mixes in a breaking ball at 76-78, flashing tilt. The changeup is straight at times, but also features cut, sitting 83-85. He stood out for Team Elite at both the PBR Classic and NPI.

After a dominating season with East Robertson this past Spring, Smith continued to climb the board with his summer performance. Showed good command of three pitches with fastball climbing into the 90s, sharp breaking ball, and fading changeup. Climbed from 15 to 6 overall (+9). Committed to Vanderbilt in early September.  

10/14/18 - Max FB: 86, FB: 82-85, CH: 77-78, SL: 71-72
6-foot-2, 181-pound, RHP struck out 1 in the final half inning of the event, showing a super projectable frame and arm-speed.  Prototypical pitcher frame, tall, athletic frame w/ high-waist, some present lower half strength, super projectable.  Pitches from a full wind-up into ¾ to L ¾ release from the first base side of the rubber.  Super quick arm w/ long and loose arm action.  Lot of moving parts coming at you, deceptive.  High effort throw w/ some extension.  Straight FB shows occasional short arm-side run.  Tight ¾ tilt SL w/ proper shape and rotation.  Flashes as a put-away pitch.  CH w/ arm-speed, fade and sink.  Around the zone w/ his 3-pitch mix, projects to command.

1/15/18 - Max FB: 81, FB: 78-81, CB: 60-64, CH: 70-73
6-foot-0, 165-pound, RHP shows projectable frame, arm strength w/ 3 pitch mix.  Medium, athletic, uber projectable frame w/ some present lower half strength.  Pitches from a full wind-up w/ very short rocker step into back foot reset on first base side of the rubber.  Chest high leg kick w/ hands head high into some leg drive and proper finish from L ¾ release.  Front leg driven w/ back leg dragging on the ground through finish.  Will learn to use back legs more as gets more reps.  Some effort in throw, loose arm projects big.  FB w/ short arm-side run.  Flashes sink.  Medium downer CB flashes late break.  Proper shape and rotation.  Can get a little loose at times.  CH w/ arm-speed, fade, late sink.  Projects as a potential out pitch to LHH’s.  Around the zone w/ 3 pitches, projects to command.  High ceiling RHP is one to follow as he begins his high school career.

1/15/18 - 60 Time: 8.43, Position Velocity:  IF-79, Exit Velocity: 74
6-foot-0, 165-pound, RHH showed projectable arm strength w/ soft hands.  Medium, athletic, uber projectable frame w/ some present lower half strength.  Offensively, hits from a slightly open, slightly crouched stance w/ back shoulder hand location.  Proper stride w/ low hand load.  Jumps at the ball w/ near arm bar.  Projects to hit for pull power as adds strength to his frame.  Still head w/ ability to repeat swing, keep hands inside of the ball.  Defensively, shows projectable arm strength w/ soft hands and good feet.  Body works well, showed hand-eye coordination with ability to scoop the ball consistently off the turf.  A projectable position player to watch, though he likely ends up on the mound at the next level.