Pittsburgh Pirates Pick Witchita State Shockers Josh Smith

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The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Josh Smith with their 25th round pick.  The Milwaukee Brewers drafted him last season in the 26th round.

As you can see from the Witchita State site below, the left handed Josh Smith pitched all four years for the Shockers.  Despite a top-50 power ranking and a tough schedule, the Shockers failed to play in an NCAA baseball regional for the third straight season this year.

Smith sits in the upper 80’s with his fastball and has touched 91.  He has a solid changeup and hard breaking slider.  His numbers with the Shockers improved each season and in 2012, he pitched 95.2 innings with 77 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Video of Smith postgame at this link.

From the Witchita State Sports website:

2012 SENIOR

Played summer ball for the Liberal (Kan.) Beejays…Named the top prospect in the Jayhawk League by Baseball America…Named the ninth-best prospect in the Jayhawk League by Perfect Game…Drafted in the 26th round by the Milwaukee Brewers…Named to the AD’s honor roll for Fall 2011.

2011 JUNIOR

Made 15 appearances with 15 starts…Went 7-4 with a 3.00 ERA…Pitched 78 innings with 56 strikeouts…Earned Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher-of-The-Week honors during the week of March 28-April 3…Pitched a complete game shutout at Bradley on May 20…Pitched seven innings at Hawaii with seven strikeouts on March 31…Struck out a season-high seven at Hawaii on March 31 and at Bradley on May 20…Earned wins against Niagara, North Dakota, New Orleans, Hawaii, Creighton, Indiana State, and Bradley… Named to the AD’s honor roll for Fall 2010.

2010 SOPHOMORE

Made 14 appearances with 13 starts…Went 4-3 with a 5.02 ERA…Pitched 61 innings with 37 strikeouts…Pitched a season-high 7.2 innings at Indiana State on April 18…Struck out a season-high seven against Central Arkansas on March 9…Earned wins against North Dakota, Central Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Indiana State… Played summer ball for the St. Cloud (Minn.) River Bats…Named to the AD’s honor roll for Fall 2009.

2009 FRESHMAN

Made 20 appearances with one start…Went 0-2 with a 8.62 ERA and one save…Pitched 24 innings with 21 strikeouts…Pitched a season-high 2.2 innings against Oral Roberts on May 5…Struck out a season-high four against Oral Roberts on May 5…Earned save against Pepperdine…Named to the AD’s honor roll for Fall 2008.

HIGH SCHOOL