ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — It’s every athlete’s dream to be drafted by a major professional team in his or her sport. It has happened for Byron resident Braden Smith. He was selected in the 15th round of the MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles.
Smith barely made it into the month of April this year with the University of Central Florida Knights. His season ended April 3 when he was struck in the face by a line drive in a game against West Virginia. Smith had made eight starts prior to that. He compiled a record of 3-1 with an era of 6.21. He struck out 23 batters in 33.1 innings. That and what Smith did the previous two seasons at Maryville University in St. Louis (D2) was enough to show the Orioles that Smith has pro potential.
In high school at Byron, Smith posted a 7-2 record on the hill his junior year in 2022 with an era of 0.35 and 88 strikeouts. His senior year, he was 9-1 with a 0.33 ERA, and he struck out 132 batters. He also hit .457 at the plate, and he drove in 47 runs. He was named First Team All-State by the Illinois H.S. Baseball Coaches Association.
Smith is one of two local pitchers who went in this year’s MLB Draft. Freeport native Mason Lei was chosen in the 13th round by the Red Sox.
In addition to being a standout baseball player, Smith also shined in high school at Byron as the starting quarterback on the football team. His junior year the Tigers were 3A state champions. His senior year they reached the state semifinals in 3A.
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