Jason Smith

2013

There was no outlook written for Jason Smith.

2009

A year after serving as the Royals’ uber-utility guy, Smith spent almost all of the 2008 season at Triple-A Omaha. He hit a surprising 20 home runs in 423 at-bats there, but was a 31-year-old playing at Triple-A. None of that power transferred after he was called up in August, and he got in just 28 at-bats in two months. He should head back to Triple-A in 2009, and be an insurance policy elsewhere after getting non-tendered in December.

2008

Smith played 40 games in a utility role for the Royals in 2007, following brief stays with the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. He has a solid glove, and can field any infield position. His bat is unspectacular, and his career .222 average can be explained by his poor contact rate. He’ll fill a super-sub role in 2007, probably seeing time at all defensive positions, but not getting enough at-bats to put up any serious offensive numbers.

2006

Smith saw only limited action with the Tigers last season. He's an adequate utility infielder but nothing more than that.

2005

When Carlos Guillen injured his knee in mid-September, Smith became an everyday starter for the Tigers, rotating between short and second. Detroit likes his versatility in the field, but he strikes out way too much for a non-power hitter. Guillen should be recovered enough from knee surgery to be ready for the start of the regular season, but if he isn't, Smith could end up being Detroit's opening day shortstop.

2003

Smith hit .277 in 54 games at Durham (four homers, five steals) but only .200 (13-for-65, one homer) in 26 games with the Devil Rays. He has probably one more chance to get big-league playing time this season before a bunch of Rays middle infield prospects are ready, and he may get caught in a numbers game and get sent down to Triple-A again unless some infielders get hurt. Smith has hit in the minors, but we can't foresee any roto impact.