Document text
SUNNY Temp: 54 °F Wind: W at 6 mph Tuesday, February 25, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend February 14, 2003 Crater High graduate Hans Smith, who spent the winter working out in Medford, posted a 4.14 ERA and 2-4 record in 46 appearances last season. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Smith takes big-league step Spring training starts with Hans Smith on the 40-man roster of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but he’s likely to be sent to the minor leagues once the season begins By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune Hans Smith believes in hard work and determination. Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Devil Rays believe in Hans Smith. There’s no mistaking the correlation. "I think that Hans has showed them over the last three years that he’s got some aptitude, and he’s improved every year," says Dick Bosman, who was the 6-foot-9, 265-pound left-hander’s pitching coach with the Double-A Orlando (Fla.) Rays last season. "When you’ve got that size and that competitiveness — and nothing bothers him on the mound, I know from visiting him out there — you’ve got promise. All these intangibles along with the physical things he’s got contribute to him being a potential major-league pitcher." Accordingly, the Devil Rays added Smith to their 40-man roster this winter. The 1996 Crater High graduate is in St. Petersburg, Fla., as Tampa Bay’s pitchers and catchers begin spring training today. An 11th-round selection out of Fresno State in the 2000 free-agent draft, Smith has worked his way up the Devil Rays’ minor-league ranks. He played rookie and long-season Class-A ball the summer of 2000, then earned an all-star berth as closer of the Class-A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze in 2001. Elbow problems sidelined Smith for the latter stages of that season, but he rebounded nicely as the Rays’ set-up man last year. "It was a big year for me," says Smith, who proved his durability by posting a 4.14 ERA and 2-4 record in 46 appearances. "My goal for last year was to stay healthy all season." Smith played half a season of winter ball in Puerto Rico until early December to continue his progress. "One reason was to keep throwing," says the 24-year-old, who was only a second-team all-Southern Oregon Conference pick as a Crater senior, then, at first, was considered a gamble at Fresno State before developing into a pro. "I ended the season good and wanted to keep throwing. "And I wanted to basically show the Devil Rays that I’m completely healthy." Smith was in Puerto Rico, playing for Santurce, when he learned that Tampa Bay was making him a part of its 40-man roster. "I was excited when I heard that," he says. "It’s nice because they chose to protect me. They showed they believe in me. I just need to go out and perform to show them they made the right choice." Bosman, who won 82 games during an 11-year major-league career in the 1960s and ’70s, says the Devil Rays’ show of confidence should boost Smith’s self-belief. "I remember when I first got put on the 40-man, it raised my self-esteem quite a bit," says Bosman, who has been an MLB pitching coach with the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. "Most of the time, when you’re a young pitcher, you’re not really sure you can succeed at the major- league level. Any extra assurance helps." Smith signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay on Wednesday for the major-league minimum of $300,000. A big-league pact is required for players who are in spring training with MLB clubs. Still, Smith knows his odds are long in making the Devil Rays’ opening-day roster this season. "I don’t really look ahead like that and try to place myself there," says Smith, who was working out in the Rogue Valley with former North Medford star Rich Dorman — a pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization — and past Roseburg standout Jamie Burke — a catcher in the Chicago White Sox system — prior to reporting for spring training. "I think one thing most guys have learned is you don’t really get your hopes up." Bosman predicts Smith this season will most likely wind up back under his tutelage in Orlando or with the Triple-A Durham (N.C.) Bulls, who called up Smith for their playoffs last fall. Already armed with a fastball that consistently clocks 91-92 mph and moves, a developing sinker, a forkball and a change-up, Smith, according to Bosman, could write a guaranteed ticket to the big leagues by mastering the slider — a pitch he’s been working on. With Smith’s ethic and resolve, don’t doubt he can do it. "It’s your career now," Smith says of his work rate. "If you don’t want to put in the time, nobody really cares. There’s plenty of more guys out there who will." Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S