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It was a scene that quickly went viral: Former Palm Beach Central High star Cam Smith breaking into tears in the middle of the Houston Astros' locker room.
Not only did Smith make the Astros' opening day roster — defying the odds after playing only 32 minor-league games — but manager Joe Espada broke the news to him in a unique way on Tuesday. With the entire team assembled before an exhibition game in Houston, Espada brought Smith's parents into the room, and Smith quickly realized what was happening.
He began crying long before his mother worked her way to his locker to give him a hug.
The "awww!" moment capped off a whirlwind spring for Smith. He had only 115 minor-league at-bats last year — none above Double-A — but got the Astros' attention this spring by hitting .342 and leading the team in home runs (4) and RBIs (11).
More: Wellington's Cam Smith credits meditation in scintillating start with Florida State baseball
The team was so impressed with his hitting that it started giving Smith, a career infielder, reps in the outfield. Now he's likely to start in right field when the Astros face the Mets on Thursday afternoon in Houston.
"I always thought it was possible," Smith, 22, told reporters shortly after he was informed of the decision. "I had a great group of guys to help me out to get here today. I always thought it was a possibility for it to happen. And we're here today talking about it now. So I'm very blessed."
After a stellar career at Palm Beach Central and Florida State, where he hit .387 with 16 home runs last year, Smith was drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 14th overall pick.
Even though he hit well at three minor-league stops, he was among three players the Cubs traded to the Astros to land All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker. In the same trade, Houston acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes, meaning Smith would have to change positions to earn playing time on the MLB roster.
Smith's ascension to the majors has followed a similar path to another Palm Beach County product, former Park Vista and Florida Atlantic star Nolan Schanuel, who was called up by the Angels in 2023 after only 22 minor-league games.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cam Smith, 22, makes Houston Astros' opening day roster
Continue reading...
Not only did Smith make the Astros' opening day roster — defying the odds after playing only 32 minor-league games — but manager Joe Espada broke the news to him in a unique way on Tuesday. With the entire team assembled before an exhibition game in Houston, Espada brought Smith's parents into the room, and Smith quickly realized what was happening.
He began crying long before his mother worked her way to his locker to give him a hug.
The "awww!" moment capped off a whirlwind spring for Smith. He had only 115 minor-league at-bats last year — none above Double-A — but got the Astros' attention this spring by hitting .342 and leading the team in home runs (4) and RBIs (11).
More: Wellington's Cam Smith credits meditation in scintillating start with Florida State baseball
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The team was so impressed with his hitting that it started giving Smith, a career infielder, reps in the outfield. Now he's likely to start in right field when the Astros face the Mets on Thursday afternoon in Houston.
"I always thought it was possible," Smith, 22, told reporters shortly after he was informed of the decision. "I had a great group of guys to help me out to get here today. I always thought it was a possibility for it to happen. And we're here today talking about it now. So I'm very blessed."
After a stellar career at Palm Beach Central and Florida State, where he hit .387 with 16 home runs last year, Smith was drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 14th overall pick.
You must be registered for see images attach
Even though he hit well at three minor-league stops, he was among three players the Cubs traded to the Astros to land All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker. In the same trade, Houston acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes, meaning Smith would have to change positions to earn playing time on the MLB roster.
Smith's ascension to the majors has followed a similar path to another Palm Beach County product, former Park Vista and Florida Atlantic star Nolan Schanuel, who was called up by the Angels in 2023 after only 22 minor-league games.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cam Smith, 22, makes Houston Astros' opening day roster
Continue reading...
