Ryan Smith

Pitcher Ryan Smith underwent 16 months of recovery after Tommy John surgery on his right throwing elbow on Halloween of 2022.

The 2021 Nazareth Academy graduate hadn’t played since the beginning of that summer. He didn’t return until this spring for the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

“That year was probably the worst years I’ve ever had in my life – surgery, a lot of tough things happened,” Smith said. 

“That’s when my mindset really just changed, just everything happening for a reason. I’ve been challenged. It’s going to make me better on the other side.”

Now Smith is busy throwing as much as ever. 

Smith and recent Nazareth graduate Cooper Malamazian were among 605 players selected in Major League Baseball’s 20-round draft July 14-16.

Cooper Malamazian

Smith was taken by the Houston Astros in the ninth round with the 283rd pick overall. Malamazian was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 17th round with the 585th pick.

Within a couple of days, Smith arrived at the Astros’ training complex in Palm Springs, Fla. 

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do from here. They said, ‘You’re going to Palm Beach.’ I said, ‘All right,’” Smith said.

“I knew I was going to get drafted. It was just a matter of when. At some points, I was anxious to get a phone call but I knew I was going to get drafted so there was nothing to get worried about.” 

Malamazian has until Thursday, Aug. 1 to decide whether to sign professionally or play his freshman season for the University of Indiana. The standout shortstop probably would have been selected higher if he hadn’t indicated that he was leaning toward college baseball.

“I was pretty shocked. I was just laying down and got a call from the Brewers,” Malamazian said. “I was at a loss for words, caught off guard. It was a dream come true. It was definitely special.” 

These are the fifth and sixth former Roadrunners drafted but the first pair picked in the same draft. They became friends as teammates on the 2021 regional championship team that set the foundation for the tremendous 2024 graduating class with six four-year starters who were integral to back-to-back Class 3A state championships in 2022 and 2023.

“It’s definitely something unique [for us],” Nazareth coach Lee Milano said. 

“I knew [Smith] was getting a lot of interest. I had some scouts contact me about his character. I think the adversity he’s gone through, especially in college, is going to make him better and more prepared for the adversity he’s going to face in the pro ranks.”

Smith lives in Westchester near Milano. Anthony and Joseph Milano, Lee’s twin sons, actually were among family and friends at Smith’s house awaiting his draft news.  

Smith knew he had been drafted via phone. He led them astray until the news became public.  

“I pretended like nothing happened and shocked them. I knew it was coming. It was pretty cool,” Smith said.

The 6’2”, 195-pound Smith is a strikeout pitcher. This spring he collected 42 in 35 innings for the Flames en route to a 3-2 record with three saves and a 4.63 earned-run average. As a Nazareth senior, Smith fanned 60 and was named 3A all-state.

“I think the hard work has always been there. I think my mindset really changed [this spring],” Smith said. “I just started thinking I was the best player on the field, preached that to myself and it flipped my game around. For a while when I was just beginning to throw, I was being really cautious, trying not to get hurt.” 

The ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction actually has only bolstered his velocity. Milano said Smith hit personal bests six times this spring, topping out at 98 miles per hour.

Smith thanked UIC baseball trainer Dan Fifer and Bennett Tabaracci, a resident trainer whose time at UIC coincided with Smith’s rehab period.

“I give a lot of credit to what those two guys did for me,” Smith said. “[Recovery] just depends on how seriously you take your rehab. I think my fastball jumped 4, 5 miles an hour.” 

The 6’-1”, 185-pound Malamazian had a phenomenal spring for the Roadrunners’ 4A sectional finalists, batting .395 with five home runs, 32 runs batted in, 49 runs, and 19 stolen bases. Malamazian was named 4A all-state and 3A all-state in 2023.

Milano said scouts were at every game, sometimes as many as 15, to watch Malamazian, among others.

“I think things have to be right for him to move on and sign. Either way, he’s going to win. He’s a proven winner,” Milano said. “I’m confident in the pro ranks he will move through their system. If he goes to Indiana, he’s going to be a special player, even as a freshman.”

Still close with Smith, Malamazian was grateful to him throughout the draft process and his connection with Ginger Poulson, the Brewers’ area scout. 

“It also helps me moving forward, knowing how the whole process is. And knowing some of these scouts beforehand [for future drafts],” Malamazian said. “It’s a story I can tell for a long time. There’s more to achieve. I’m blessed and it’s an awesome opportunity.”

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