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A unique two-way talent emerges in the Blue Jays’ minor league system, blending the distinct skills of hitting and pitching into a single player.Dunedin Today
The Toronto Blue Jays are experimenting with turning 23-year-old minor league outfielder Austin Smith into a two-way player who can both hit and pitch. Smith, a 10th round draft pick in 2025 out of the University of San Diego, had success as a two-way player in college and the Blue Jays are now giving him a chance to do the same in their farm system.
Why it matters
Having a true two-way player at the MLB level is extremely rare, with Shohei Ohtani being one of the only recent examples. If Smith can prove he can hit and pitch at a high level, it could give the Blue Jays a unique weapon and something for fans to get excited about in their minor league system.
The details
Smith made his professional pitching debut on Thursday for the Blue Jays’ Single-A affiliate in Dunedin, Florida. Prior to this, he had been playing solely as an outfielder, hitting .261 with a .779 OPS. In college, Smith was a finalist for the John Olerud Award, given to the best two-way player in Division I baseball, after batting .305 with 20 home runs and posting a 4.12 ERA in 53 pitching appearances.
Smith was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft.Smith made his professional pitching debut on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The players
Austin Smith
A 23-year-old minor league outfielder in the Toronto Blue Jays organization who is being converted into a two-way player, able to both hit and pitch.
One of the only recent examples of a true two-way player at the MLB level, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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What they’re saying
“I take what I can do as something special and I’m super excited to go out and do it today.”
— Austin Smith, Blue Jays Minor Leaguer
What’s next
The Blue Jays will continue to monitor Smith’s progress as he attempts to develop into a two-way player, with the ultimate goal of potentially bringing that unique skillset to the major league level.
The takeaway
The Blue Jays’ experiment with Austin Smith represents a fascinating attempt to uncover a true two-way talent in the mold of Shohei Ohtani. If Smith can prove he can hit and pitch at a high level, it could give Toronto a valuable weapon and something for their fans to get excited about in the years to come.