Toronto Blue Jays 2018 Top Prospects: #22 Dwight Smith Jr.

Dwight Smith Jr. made his major league debut in 2017 seeing action in 12 games with the big club and hitting an impressive .370 in the small sample size. The speedy outfielder comes in at #22 on the Jays Journal Top Prospects ranking for 2018.

The son of former major leaguer Dwight Smith was selected in the 1st round, 53rd overall by the Blue Jays in 2011 out of Peachtree City, Georgia. Smith Jr. is one of a number of Jays prospects with major league bloodlines in their family.

Name: Dwight Smith Jr.

Position: OF      Age: 25

Height: 5’11     Weight: 195

Throws: Right     Bats: Left

Acquired: 1st round, 53rd overall-2011 draft

Dwight Smith Jr. hit .273/.350/.392 with 8 round trippers and 8 stolen bases in 16 attempts in 108 games for the Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons last season. The 25-year old owns a career .269/.343/.401 slash line with 53 homers and 65 swipes in 640 games at various minor league levels.

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Although Smith Jr. had a good showing during his cup of coffee in the majors he is beginning to look more like organizational depth than a legitimate prospect for the Blue Jays. He has been surpassed by Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Alford and possibly Dalton Pompey on the major league depth chart for outfielders.

In his 12 games with Toronto, Smith Jr. hit .370 with 10 hits and a stolen base while making his debut versus the Atlanta Braves in his hometown state.

"Smith said being able to debut in my hometown was pretty memorable for me in front of family, friends, and coaches."

Last season  Smith Jr. had reverse splits batting better versus southpaws .316 compared to a .266 clip versus righties. He had an 8-game run last season with the herd where he connected for 14 hits during that stretch. Smith Jr. is a very serviceable outfielder who displays athleticism and speed on the regular however at this point in his career the 25-year old probably projects as a fourth outfielder/pinch runner type player at the major league level.

Next: Blue Jays’ top prospects over the last decade

A trade may open up some doors for him but as we currently stand Dwight Smith Jr. is roadblocked to the majors and will once again begin the season in Buffalo.

Top-30 Blue Jays Prospect Rankings:
#30: OF Jonathan Davis    #29: OF Harold Ramirez  #28: OF Joshua Palacios      #27: 1B/OF Ryan Noda #26: SS Kevin Smith #25: OF Roemon Fields                  #24:P Angel Perdomo #23: C Reese McGuire