Yankees to Blue Jays a pitchers journey with Chris Smith - Part 3

Chris Smith pitcher for the Yankees, Blue Jays, Tigers,
Nationals, Pecos League, and Frontier League discusses his
career 


First year with the Yankees had a stress fracture in his
forearm but re-signed with them in 2014 and 2015.

In 2015, a good camp with The Yankees, gave up only one hit
all spring.

Chris was about to go to Double A but got released by the
organization. He sensed something was going to happen when called
to the pitching coaching office. 

Smith signs with independent ball St. Paul Saints.

After a good month of pitching, he had a bad outing  and
was put on the Phantom DL

Chris goes to High A and goes two months without giving up a
run.

Looking good but released by the Yankees, 

The Blue Jays sign Chris.

Pitching Coach, Vince Horseman, accelerated Chris’ career by
believing in him.

Chris develops his fastball pitch to 95-96 mph

Winter Ball in Puerto Rico, a place to learn how to win..

Chris pitched for a month without giving up any runs, except
for one solo homer.

After Puerto Rico he went to the Dominican Republic and
pitched seven games 

Chris got an opportunity to play in the Caribbean series back
in the Dominican Republic, where he pitched two times against
Cuba and Venezuela before returning to spring training with the
Blue Jays.

Chris threw 97-98 and had a great year in Double AA before
moving up to Triple AAA and becoming the closer there.

He and several other players were called in for a
conversation about being sent down to hot camp to stay hot just
in case they were needed in the major leagues.

Torn between going on the cruise or staying for the hot camp.

While on the cruise, Chris watched a Major League game where
a brawl broke out, and Benoit, a pitcher for the Blue Jays, was
injured.

Gil Kim called Chris and informed him that he was not being
put on the 40-man roster yet but he was being called up to the
team the next day

Chris arrived in Toronto the next day and was activated

Being there at David Ortiz's last regular season game

Cigars & Champagne - Chris was on the Toronto Blue Jays
major league team as they clenched game 162 and the celebrated
with the team in Fenway.

Chris Smith & Mark discuss the Tampa Bay Rays,

Kyle Snyder, Rays pitching coach,  focuses on connecting
with players on a personal level.

Snyder is always supportive and builds a mentor-like
relationship with players.

Tyler Glasnow appreciates Snyder's friendship beyond baseball



Special thanks to Chris Smith for sharing the pitcher’s
perspective.
Part 1 of Chris Smith's MLB journey
https://bit.ly/3EIlc7K
Part 2  Chris Smith enters the Yankees
 https://bit.ly/3IGqSQU

Chris can be reached For Real Estate in 502-523-9461 or
Chris.Smith@Compass.com 


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Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"
Some Show Note edits based on ChatGPT