{"id":671913,"date":"2026-04-09T21:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T21:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/671913\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T21:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T21:00:18","slug":"blue-jays-announce-two-way-player-austin-smiths-pitching-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/671913\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Jays announce two-way player Austin Smith’s pitching debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Blue Jays might not have been able to sign the most famous two-way player<\/a> in MLB<\/a> as a free agent.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t develop one of their own.<\/p>\n

MORE: Dodgers postseason hero in lineup vs Blue Jays despite father\u2019s death<\/a><\/p>\n

Austin Smith was chosen in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft by Toronto, but has so far been limited to outfield duties as a pro. That will change April 9, when Smith takes the mound in his first pitching appearance for the Dunedin Blue Jays, Toronto\u2019s Class-A affiliate.<\/p>\n

The @BlueJays<\/a> now have their own two-way prospect!<\/p>\n

LHP\/OF Austin Smith is slated to make his debut on the mound today in St. Lucie!<\/p>\n

“I take what I can do as something special and I’m super excited to go out and do it today.” pic.twitter.com\/WZ0WRJvrn4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dunedin Blue Jays (@DunedinBlueJays) April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Smith was a two-way player in college, at the University of San Diego and UC San Diego. The Blue Jays were interested in letting him pitch and play outfield, but the mound had to wait until 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to know that I am getting an opportunity to explore both sides of the game,\u201d Smith told Blue Jays Nation in 2025<\/a>. \u201cI have had quite a few staff on the Jays tell me that they haven\u2019t really had a bona fide two-way player in recent memory, so I just want to go out there and solidify myself as one who can make it stick at a high level. Just go out there and crush it, and help the team win on both sides of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

A left-hander (on the mound and at the plate), Smith slashed .259\/.394\/.395 at Dunedin last year. He\u2019s 2 for 7 with a walk, two strikeouts and two stolen bases to start 2026.<\/p>\n

MORE: Blue Jays All-Star will undergo surgery after suffering major injury<\/a><\/p>\n

Smith went 5-5 with a 5.66 ERA in 2025 as a senior for the Toreros. He struck out 52 batters in 49.1 innings.<\/p>\n

It will be interesting to watch how \u2014 and how much \u2014 the Jays allow Smith to ramp up his pitching workload in 2026. Regardless, he will be attempting something few two-way prospects have succeeded at: translating their college success at the plate and the mound to the big league level.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take what I can do as something special and I\u2019m super excited to go out and do it today,\u201d he said, via the Dunedin Blue Jays\u2019 X account<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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