2018 Draft - Mets Pick #7: LHP Kevin Smith - Georgia

The Red and Black –

           Smith was the opening-day starter for the Bulldogs, but through his first three starts he posted a 1-1 record with a 7.14 ERA. So, after a loss at the College of Charleston earlier this season, Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin decided to move Smith to the bullpen.

“That was a tough conversation, and he wasn’t very happy about it,” Stricklin said. “He’s a competitor, he wanted to be in the rotation, but by the next day 24 hours went by and he embraced the role.”

Not long after that conversation, Smith appeared in relief against the Citadel and that was the turning point of the season.

20-G, 12-ST, 2-SV, 4.87, 1.61, 61-IP, 67-K, 31-BB

     

(Note:  you have to judge this guy on the back end stats as a reliever)

Bulldogs –

                       Currently :

10-6, 2 Saves and a 4.46 ERA in 33 appearances including 19 starts

*Tallied 107 strikeouts and 52 walks in 107 innings pitched for the Bulldogs

2017 (Sophomore):

Appeared in 20 games with 12 starts for a total of 61 innings as team went 25-32 and advanced to the SEC Tournament

*Posted a 5-5 record, 4.87 ERA and two saves with 31 walks and 67 strikeouts

*Closed out the season by going 3-0, 1.89 ERA in final three starts against ranked opponents, featuring No. 4 Kentucky, No. 6 Miss. State and No. 30 South Carolina to help squad clinch spot in the SEC Tournament

*Earned 4-3 win at Ga. Southern (with career-high eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings on Feb. 24

*Sharp relief outing on April 11, two scoreless innings in team’s 5-1 win over Ga. Tech

*Earned first career save with one inning pitched and two strikeouts in a 1-0 shutout of Vanderbilt on Apr. 21

*Notched road win over Ga. Tech to clinch season series on Apr. 25, going four innings and allowed just one run on five hits

*Went 1-0, 3.38 ERA, 1 SV in two appearances including a start to help win series at No. 4 Kentucky in May

*Beat No. 4 Miss. State 4-1 on his birthday, May 13, going seven scoreless innings on three hits with six strikeouts

*Named to the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll