The New York Mets selected pitcher Joe Smith in the third round (94th overall) of the 2006 amateur draft. Erwin Bryant, a scout, signed him and he made his professional debut that summer.
On the Opening Day of the 2007 season, Smith was the first player to make his Major League debut, pitching as a reliever for the Mets on April 1, 2007.
Joe has a 0.00 ERA through his first 16 2/3 innings in the major leagues. In 54 games, he was 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA while pitching only 44 1/3 innings.
His usage pattern resembled that of a conventional LOOGY but from the right side.
His sidearm delivery makes him strong against right-handed batters but vulnerable against left-handed batters, and his significant platoon splits justify utilizing him only in carefully selected scenarios.
He pitched 82 games for the Mets in 2008, tying for third place in the National League with teammate Pedro Feliciano. In 63 1/3 innings, he was 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA and 53 strikeouts.
Before the 2009 season, Smith was moved to the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team deal that also included the Seattle Mariners, in which 12 players, all of whom were or would become major leaguers, switched uniforms.
In his debut season with the Indians, he only pitched 37 times with no decisions and a 3.44 ERA, then went 2-2 with a 3.83 ERA in 53 games in 2010, and 3-3 with an amazing 2.01 ERA in 71 appearances in 2011.
How Old Is Joe Smith?
Joe Smith is 38 years old. He was born on March 22, 1984.