William Michael Smith (born July 10, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros.
Smith played college baseball at Gulf Coast Community College, and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the seventh round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 as a member of Royals. Smith was an MLB All-Star in 2019.
In the 2021 postseason, Smith made 11 appearances, successfully completing each without surrendering any runs. In the 2021 World Series, he closed out Game 6 and Atlanta defeated Houston to clinch the title. Smith had a 2–0 win–loss record with six saves. He was traded to Houston in August 2022 and won his second World Series with them. Signing with Texas as a free agent for the 2023 season, Smith reached his third straight World Series.
Amateur career
William Newman Smith was born on July 10, 1989, in Newnan, Georgia. Smith attended Northgate High School in Newnan, Georgia, where he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. He enrolled at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida.
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
After his freshman year at Gulf Coast, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Smith in the seventh round, with the 229th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. Making his professional debut with the Orem Owlz of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, Smith recorded 76 strikeouts while walking only six batters. He pitched for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League in 2009, and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A-Advanced California League in 2010.
On July 23, 2010, the Angels traded Smith along with Sean O'Sullivan to the Kansas City Royals for Alberto Callaspo.
Pitching for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League in 2011, Smith and Kelvin Herrera combined to pitch a no-hitter on July 19, with Smith pitching the first seven innings. Smith began the 2012 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.
Kansas City Royals (2012–2013) The Royals promoted Smith to the majors for the first time on May 22, 2012. By the end of the 2012 season, Smith had made 16 starts, his record was 6–9 with a 5.32 ERA. During the 2013 season, the Royals transitioned Smith into a relief pitcher. He spent the majority of the season at Omaha. He was called up multiple times to the Royals bullpen while also making a spot start.
Milwaukee Brewers (2014–2016) Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Norichika Aoki on December 5, 2013. Smith had a 1–3 win–loss record and a 3.70 earned run average (ERA) in 2014. In the May 22nd game against the Atlanta Braves, Smith was sent to pitch in relief of Brandon Kintzler in a botched double switch despite Smith not having warmed up in the bullpen. Smith ended up pitching with only eight warmup pitches from the mound and gave up the go-ahead run in the same inning.
On May 21, 2015, he was ejected from a game vs the Atlanta Braves for having a foreign substance on his right arm. He was suspended for eight games, pending his appeal and his suspension was subsequently reduced to six games. Smith had a 7–2 win–loss record and a 2.70 ERA in 2015.
During spring training in 2016, Smith tore the lateral collateral ligament in his knee. He returned to the Brewers on June 2. By the end of the month of July, Smith had appeared in 27 games for Milwaukee, serving as the set-up man. He had 1–3 win–loss record and a 3.68 earned run average (ERA) in those 27 appearances.
San Francisco Giants (2016, 2018–2019) On August 1, 2016, the Brewers traded Smith to the San Francisco Giants for Phil Bickford and Andrew Susac. He made 26 appearances with the Giants, finishing with a 1–1 win–loss record and a 2.95 earned run average (ERA).
On March 20, 2017, Smith was diagnosed with possible UCL damage in his left elbow, but no structural damage. He returned to California to seek second opinions with doctors, who petitioned that Smith would require surgery. On March 24, it was reported that Smith elected to have Tommy John surgery on his elbow, ending his 2017 season with the Giants.
In 2018, he returned to action in mid-season and was used as a setup man and the closer. He appeared in 54 games, finishing with a 2–3 win–loss record and a 2.55 earned run average (ERA) to go along with 14 saves (14/18 in save opportunities).