Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 40

After an up-and-down freshman year at Clemson in 2023, mostly in relief, Smith really put himself on scouts' radars with an outstanding performance in the Cape Cod League that summer. The Draft-eligible sophomore had an up arrow next to his name with how he was throwing during the 2024 season, but an ankle injury that forced him out for a month slowed his progress a bit. The Reds made him the third college pitcher they took in last summer's Draft, going over slot in the fifth round to sign him for $600,000. As they typically do with their college arm draftees, the Reds didn't pitch Smith competitively after he signed and he managed just a handful of outings in 2025 after dealing with illness then knee discomfort following his return.

In some ways, Smith is the same pitcher who was a top South Carolina prep talent, a left-hander with a fastball that sits 91-94 mph and touches 96 mph, one who can ride it up in the zone or sink it down. His low-80s slider has a lot of sweep, and he lands it in the zone consistently with high spin rates to miss a good amount of bats. He had a really good feel for a slinking low-80s changeup in high school, and he's not afraid to throw it to hitters on both sides of the plate.

While he has the arsenal to start long-term, it remains to be seen if he can throw enough strikes to be in a big league rotation. His delivery can get out of sync, and he loses his direction to the plate, impacting his control and command. The Reds will have to wait until 2026 to get their first prolonged look at him, and he still has a starting pitcher ceiling if he can repeat his delivery.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Smith generated some first-round buzz as a South Carolina high schooler in 2022, but his price tag and reliever risk left him undrafted, after which he headed to Clemson. He battled the strike zone as a freshman before impressing as much as any left-hander in the Cape Cod League during the summer. He showed improved velocity and better control of his secondary pitches this year before injuring his ankle in mid-March and missing a month, but the Reds saw enough to take him in the fifth round and go over slot to sign him for $600,000.

Smith's fastball sits at 91-94 mph and tops out at 96, just like it did in high school, and he'll ride it up or sink it down in the zone. He throws the most strikes and misses the most bats with a sweeping low-80s slider that features high spin rates. He has a solid low-80s changeup that sinks and has enough faith to use it against both lefties and righties.

Though Smith has a three-pitch repertoire suitable for starting, he doesn't have a history of providing consistent strikes. He doesn't always keep his delivery in sync and maintain his direction to the plate, leaving him with fringy control. His ceiling may not be quite as high as once projected, but he still could become a mid-rotation option if he finds the plate more often.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50 

Scouts in the Southeast compare Smith to D.L. Hall, a Georgia high school left-hander whom the Orioles selected 21st overall in 2017. Like Hall at the same stage, Smith's stuff grades better than his pitchability. He won't go quite as high in the Draft but did win Gatorade's South Carolina player of the year award with a strong two-way performance this spring. 

Smith has a chance to have two plus pitches in his fastball and slider if he adds some more power and consistency. His heater currently sits at 91-94 mph and touches 96 with some sink and tail, not to mention good carry when he works up in the strike zone. His upper-70s breaking ball reaches 83 mph and is more slider than curve, though it will show more downward movement than sweep at times. 

Smith has the athleticism and delivery to throw strikes but he still scatters his pitches too often. Not only does he need to prove he can find the zone on a regular basis, but he also will need to come up with a changeup after barely using one on the showcase circuit. He turns 19 two months before the Draft and will be eligible again in 2024 if he fulfills his Clemson commitment.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50

Smith generated some first-round buzz as a South Carolina high schooler in 2022, but his price tag and reliever risk left him undrafted and he headed to Clemson. He battled the strike zone as a freshman last spring before impressing as much as any left-hander in the Cape Cod League during the summer. He showed improved velocity and better control of his secondary pitches this year before injuring his ankle in mid-March and missing a month.

Smith's fastball sits at 91-94 mph and tops out at 96, just like it did in high school, and he'll ride it up or sink it down in the zone. He throws the most strikes and misses the most bats with a sweeping low-80s slider that features high spin rates. He has a solid low-80s changeup that sinks and enough faith to use it against both lefties and righties.

Though Smith has a three-pitch repertoire suitable for starting, he doesn't have a history of providing consistent strikes. He doesn't always keep his delivery in sync and maintain his direction to the plate, leaving him with fringy control. His ceiling may not be quite as high as once projected, but he still could become a mid-rotation option if he finds the plate more often.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/06/2025	Daytona Tortugas activated LHP Tristan Smith from the 60-day injured list.
	08/11/2025	Daytona Tortugas transferred LHP Tristan Smith from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	06/03/2025	LHP Tristan Smith assigned to Daytona Tortugas from ACL Reds.
	06/03/2025	Daytona Tortugas activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	06/03/2025	Daytona Tortugas placed LHP Tristan Smith on the 7-day injured list.
	08/05/2024	LHP Tristan Smith assigned to ACL Reds.
	07/23/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed LHP Tristan Smith.
	07/23/2024	Cincinnati Reds signed LHP Tristan Smith.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	06/09/2023	Bourne Braves activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	05/26/2023	College Workout activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	05/20/2023	LHP Tristan Smith assigned to Clemson Tigers.
	08/18/2021	LHP Tristan Smith and assigned to PG East.
	07/13/2021	PG National 6 - Navy activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	07/08/2021	American activated LHP Tristan Smith.
	07/08/2021	American activated LHP Tristan Smith.