Jeremy Smith drafted by San Diego Padres in 38th round

SWOSU Sports
Doug Self, Sports Information Director

SECAUCUS, N.J. – SWOSU Baseball added another player to the list of be drafted by a Major League Baseball organization on Wednesday after senior pitcher Jeremy Smith was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 38th round on the final day of the draft.

The Padres used their 38th-round pick – the 1,128th overall selection – to take Smith, who became the first player out of the Great American Conference to get his name called in the 2017 draft.

The selection comes following a standout senior season for Smith, the anchor of the SWOSU pitching staff. He finished the 2017 season with a record of 2-4 and a 3.58 ERA, starting the season in the bullpen and finishing the year as the Bulldogs Friday night starter.

Smith earned All-GAC Honorable Mention in 2017 and he was a key member of a pitching staff that helped lead the Dawgs to a conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth during his junior season in 2016.

“Man, we are really excited for Jeremy to get drafted and have a chance to chase his dreams professionally,” SWOSU Head Coach Zack Saunders said. “When he got to us here at SWOSU, we knew he was going to be a good player, but through hard work and dedication to his craft he was able to put himself in position to get this opportunity and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Smith becomes SWOSU’s second MLB draftee since Saunders became the head coach in 2012, joining pitcher Shane Martin, who was a 9th-round selection of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013. In total, Smith now becomes the 13^th all-time player from SWOSU to be drafted.