Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

The best pure hitter in the Texas high school ranks, Smith performed well at the Area Code Games and struck out just once in his first 20 games this spring. His bat could get him selected in the first three rounds, and if he doesn't turn pro, he'll play at Mississippi State and be Draft-eligible again as a sophomore in 2025. 

Smith works with Trevor Story's hitting coach and has developed an advanced approach at the plate. He has good balance, takes a small stride and focuses on making hard contact from gap to gap with a quick right-handed stroke. He possesses a hit-over-power mentality but has the bat speed and strength to provide 20 homers per season. 

There's more to like beyond Smith's bat. He has an athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame that can add more strength, and he's a plus runner with arm strength to match. He has a chance to remain in center field and enough offensive potential and arm to profile in right should he move to a corner.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Smith was touted by some scouts as holding a place among the best pure hitters in the realm of talent-rich Texas high school players, particularly after a big senior season and a solid performance at the MLB Draft Combine in 2023, where he rocketed a few balls beyond 100 mph and 400 feet. It was enough for the Mariners to take him in the fourth round and pry him away from his commitment to Mississippi State with a $1.2 million bonus, more than double slot value. He was off to a solid start at Single-A Modesto in 2024 when the M’s moved him to the Rays in a deal involving Randy Arozarena.

Given the three high-upside high school hitters Seattle selected with its first three picks, Smith flew more under the radar, but he has many likable tools that could keep pace with that group. With good balance and a small stride, he optimizes his contact and consistently drives the ball to his pullside. Some within the Seattle organization pointed to his mental acuity as an avid golfer translating to his approach at the plate, though he sometimes struggled with high fastballs in the California League. He showed flashes of being an above-average hitter as an amateur, and while he has just solid power now, some of his present doubles could turn into future homers in his 20s.

With an athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame that can add more strength along with strong wheels to go with a plus arm, there’s a good chance he can stick in center field, giving him a solid floor. Moving out of the hitter-friendly California League will test how the rest of his profile holds up in the Tampa Bay system.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Many thought Smith was the best pure hitter in the Texas high school ranks for the 2023 Draft, and he backed that up with strong performances at showcases like the Area Code Games last summer. A big senior season landed him in top-three-round conversations. He ended up going in the fourth, though the Mariners more than doubled the slot value for the pick to sign him away from his commitment to Mississippi State for $1.2 million.

Smith has worked with Trevor Story's hitting coach and has developed an advanced approach at the plate. He has good balance, takes a small stride and focuses on making hard contact from gap to gap with a quick right-handed stroke. He possesses a hit-over-power mentality but has the bat speed and strength to provide 20 homers per season. 

There's more to like beyond Smith's bat. He has an athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame that can add more strength, and he's a plus runner with arm strength to match. He has a chance to remain in center field and enough offensive potential and arm to profile in right should he move to a corner, and the Mariners were very pleased at the early returns as he began his pro career.

Awards

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2024

CAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/30/2024
05/26/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/15/2024	OF Aidan Smith assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods from Charleston RiverDogs.
	08/08/2024	Charleston RiverDogs activated OF Aidan Smith.
	07/26/2024	Tampa Bay Rays traded CF Randy Arozarena to Seattle Mariners for RHP Brody Hopkins, OF Aidan Smith and Player To Be Named Later.
	07/26/2024	OF Aidan Smith assigned to Charleston RiverDogs.
	07/25/2024	OF Aidan Smith roster status changed by Modesto Nuts.
	03/07/2024	Seattle Mariners Prospects activated OF Aidan Smith.
	03/01/2024	OF Aidan Smith assigned to Seattle Mariners.
	09/22/2023	Modesto Nuts activated OF Aidan Smith from the 7-day injured list.
	09/14/2023	Modesto Nuts placed OF Aidan Smith on the 7-day injured list.
	08/23/2023	OF Aidan Smith assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners.
	07/26/2023	OF Aidan Smith assigned to ACL Mariners.
	07/18/2023	Seattle Mariners signed OF Aidan Smith.
	06/14/2023	OF Aidan Smith assigned to College Workout.
	07/18/2022	OF Aidan Smith and assigned to High School Workout.