MACK - Let’s Get To Know – Aiden Smith, Emilien Pitre, Gary Gill Hill

 

Aidan Smith (born July 23, 2004) is a 22-year-old outfielder (primarily center field) in the New York Mets organization.

High School: Lovejoy HS in Lucas, Texas. He had a strong senior year and impressed at the 2023 MLB Draft Combine (hitting balls up to 104 mph and over 400 feet).

Drafted: 4th round (124th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 2023. He signed for $1.2 million (well over slot) instead of attending Mississippi State.

6'2"–6'3", 190 lbs, right-handed batter and thrower. Athletic with plus speed, a strong arm, and projectable power.

2023: Made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League and briefly in Low-A with the Modesto Nuts.

2024: Strong full-season debut split between the Mariners (Modesto) and Rays (after the trade). He hit around .288/.401/.473 with 11 HR, 33 doubles, and 41 SB in 97 games at Single-A, showing a good approach and tools.

Traded to Rays: In July 2024 as the key piece (along with RHP Brody Hopkins) in the deal sending OF Randy Arozarena to Seattle. He was viewed as a high-upside center fielder.

2025: Moved up to High-A Bowling Green (Rays). Posted a .237/.331/.388 line with 14 HR and 41 SB in 102 games, but with a higher strikeout rate (~31%). He dealt with some swing adjustments and contact issues but showed power/speed combo.

2026: Started the year with hamstring issues (missed time, rehab in lower levels). Split time mostly in High-A and some Double-A - power and speed flashes but continued strikeout concerns.

Scouting Profile and Outlook  -  Smith is a well-rounded toolsy outfielder with plus speed (good base stealer), a strong arm, and improving power. He projects as an everyday outfielder with potential for more if he improves contact rates and manages strikeouts (a noted area for growth). Defensively, he's a good fit in center with range and instincts.

He has been ranked as high as a top-100 overall prospect and a top-15-ish guy in the Rays system before the most recent trade. His ETA is around 2027–2028.

 

Émilien Pitre (full name: Emilien Joyal Pitre) is a Canadian professional baseball infielder, primarily a second baseman (with some shortstop experience), in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Born: October 4, 2002 (age 23 as of 2026) in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada.

Bats/Throws: Left/Right.

Height/Weight: 5'11" / 185 lbs.

Draft: Selected by the Rays in the 2nd round (No. 58 overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Kentucky. He signed for a bonus of about $1.52 million.

Pitre grew up in a Montreal suburb and stood out for his baseball skills (he didn't play hockey, which is uncommon for the area). He played college baseball at Kentucky, where he showed strong contact skills, plate discipline, and gap power. In his junior year (2024), he hit .298/.419/.506 with 9 home runs. He also performed well in the wood-bat Cape Cod League, which helped boost his draft stock.

The Rays were aggressive with him post-draft, starting him in Single-A Charleston (RiverDogs) in 2024, where he hit .299/.402/.403 in a short 21-game stint.

2025 (High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods): Solid full-season debut with a .268/.356/.393 slash line, 9 HR, 14 SB, good walk rate (11.6%), and a 121 wRC+ (above league average). He showed contact ability, speed, and improving power.

2026: Continued progress in Double-A.  Strong early results including multi-hit games. As of mid-2026, he's viewed as a top-30ish prospect in the Rays system (ranked around No. 22–28 in some updates).

Playing Style and Outlook

Pitre is a contact-oriented hitter with plus speed and solid defense up the middle (rangy at 2B/SS). He doesn't project as a big power guy but has enough pop for gaps and occasional homers, plus strong on-base skills. Scouts note his polish, baseball IQ, and makeup—he's often described as a "self-made" player.

 

Gary Gill Hill (full name: Gary Anthony Gill Hill) is a 21-year-old right-handed starting pitcher (born September 20, 2004, in New Rochelle, NY).

He stands 6'2" and weighs 160 lbs. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 6th round (194th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of John F. Kennedy Catholic HS in New York, signing for $597,500.

Limited innings in 2023 (mostly FCL Rays, brief Low-A stint) due to inexperience and a biceps tendinitis issue. He showed promise with a lively arm but needed refinement.

Breakout 2024: At Low-A Charleston (Carolina League), he posted a strong 4-4 record with a 3.15 ERA over 108.2 IP, 105 strikeouts, and improved control (1.11 WHIP). He earned post-season All-Star honors.

2025: Full season at High-A Bowling Green (South Atlantic League): 7-8, 3.82 ERA in 25 starts (136.2 IP), 107 K. Solid but with some homer issues.

2026: Split between High-A and Double-A Montgomery (Rays), going 7-3 with a 4.49 ERA in 20 starts (108.1 IP). He represented Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (pitching them to their only win of the tournament and helping secure a 2030 spot).

Overall minors (through 2026): 19-20, 3.99 ERA in 81 games (mostly starts), 394.2 IP, 338 K, 1.26 WHIP. He has shown durability for his age and steady strikeout ability, with improving command.

He ranks as the Rays' No. 26 prospect (MLB Pipeline) and has been viewed as a high-upside arm who has exceeded early expectations thanks to maturity and buy-in on adjustments.

Hill shifted from a lower/sidearm slot toward upper three-quarters. This boosted velocity, added depth to offspeed pitches, and improved consistency. He added strength (gained ~20 lbs in one offseason) and refined his delivery for better carry and tunneling.

Hill features a four-pitch mix (sometimes described with variations as five offerings) of mostly average-to-above-average stuff.

Scouting grades (2026): Fastball 50, Cutter 50, Slider 50, Changeup 45, Control 55, Overall 45.

Fastballs (primary weapons, 93-95 mph, touch 96-97): Pair of fastballs — a four-seamer (flatter, used up in the zone for whiffs/carry) and a two-seamer/sinker (run, induces grounders, especially in on righties or away to lefties). Velocity and separation improved post-arm-slot change.

Cutter (upper 80s): Sharp, short movement; acts as a bridge pitch. Good for running in on lefties or away from righties; generates weak contact.

Slider/Slurve/Sweeper: Bigger-breaking version with sweep/lateral movement (evolved over time). Effective against righties; can vary shape for different looks. One of his better secondary options.

Changeup (mid-80s): Good fade and separation; used to steal strikes and exploit lefty splits. Quick arm helps sell it.

He throws from a repeatable upper three-quarters slot that creates good depth on breakers and off-speed. The arsenal is "kitchen sink"-style with multiple fastball and breaking variations, allowing him to attack both sides of the plate and tunnel pitches effectively. He has shown strong strike-throwing ability and the ability to pitch deep into games.

Strengths: Athletic, projectable frame with room to add strength; advanced feel for a young pitcher; improving command and pitchability.

Areas to watch: Consistency of velocity deeper into starts, limiting homers, and refining execution against higher-level hitters.

Hill is seen as a potential mid-rotation starter or better if he continues progressing. His development path (high school to pro adjustments) and Rays' player development track record make him an intriguing prospect now with the Mets.