The 2021 MLB Draft will begin on July 11, 2021. We take a look at Cullen Smith, a well-rounded second baseman who impressed in his senior season at Arkansas.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Draft Profiles.
Cullen Smith, Second Baseman, Arkansas
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Age: 23
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
2017: 59G, .301/.385/.411, 66 H, 38 RBI, 2 HR, 32 BB, 31 K
2018: 47G, .295/.375/.404, 54 H, 22 RBI, 2 HR, 19 BB, 54 K
2019: 55G, .304/.427/.473, 62 H, 30 RBI, 7 HR, 42 BB, 30 K
2021: 51G, .263/.395/.519, 41 H, 35 RBI, 11 HR, 34 BB, 34 K
Smith spent 2017 through 2019 at East Tennessee State. He joined Arkansas in 2021.
Scouting Grades
Hit: 50
Power: 45
Run: 40
Field: 45
Throw: 45
Smith is a well-rounded prospect who has shown off his talent in all facets of the game. He provides intrigue as a player who can hit the ball well and play both second and third base smoothly.
Strengths
Smith’s best trait is probably his hitting. He dominated at East Tennessee State to the point where many often decided to pitch around him. His batting average dropped after transferring to Arkansas, but his slugging percentage rose 46 points. Technically, his on-base percentage fell, too, but that was to be expected considering he reached base in 42.7 percent of at-bats in 2019. As a senior at Arkansas, he logged 34 walks and 34 strikeouts, which is a very good rate.
Smith also has the ability to put a surge into baseballs. His potential for power can’t be ignored, and he has shown that he can send the ball out of the park during big moments. The ball roars off his bat as a left-handed hitter; most of his homers are line drives.
In the field, Smith is an average (or slightly above-average) fielder with versatility. His background comes at second base, though he spent the majority of his time at third base for Arkansas. He’ll likely return to second once drafted.
Weaknesses
Smith’s biggest weakness is his speed. He did steal 19 bases over three seasons at East Tennessee but then swiped just two bags this past year at Arkansas. His running ability restricts more than his base-stealing ability, though, as it also impacts his range. He’s just quick enough to play second base, but he would have even more value as an infielder if he possessed more speed and quickness.
Pro Comparison: Adam Frazier
Frazier may be three inches shorter than Smith, but the rest of the similarities are quite intriguing. Frazier, who bats lefty but throws righty, has appeared at second base 67 times for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. He’s a contact hitter (.322 batting average) who gets on base (.388 on-base percentage) but lacks power (two homers). He also has fairly high walk and low strikeout rates, drawing a base on balls in 8.2 percent of trips to the plate and striking out in 10.9 percent. In the field, he’s merely a fringe player who owns -2.1 dWAR over five seasons in the majors.
Draft Projection: Mid-Round Pick
Smith should hear his name called somewhere around the eighth to 10th rounds. He’s a step above mediocre in most categories and should be well-rounded enough to intrigue teams. Still, he doesn’t have one trait that truly stands out above the rest, so flashiness isn’t really present when it comes to the 23-year-old.
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Main Image Credit: Michael Woods/AP
