The Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. to a minor league deal. Smith was a first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2011, and he made his major league debut in 2017 with Toronto. He looked good in his first two big-league seasons, prompting the Baltimore Orioles to trade for him. In his two seasons with Baltimore in 2019 and 2020, Smith hit a combined .238/.298/.405 with 15 home runs, 59 RBI, six steals and 55 runs scored in 122 games (464 plate appearances). In 147 plate appearances with the Cincinnati Reds Triple-A affiliate in 2021, Smith slashed just .221/.327/.284. It's unlikely that the White Sox see him as a primary candidate for their right field mix this season, and he'll simply be trying to win a spot on the Opening Day roster if we have a spring training in 2022.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. has been released by the organization. Smith was slashing .220/.327/.283 in 36 games in Triple-A this season. The organization signed Mallex Smith to a minor league deal, so this was likely the corresponding move. The 28-year-old was best known for his role on the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He smacked 13 home runs while driving in 53 runs that season. There's a chance that another organization signs Smith, but it's unlikely he offers more than low-end deep league value.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. continued to hit Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a single, a double, a walk, and a strikeout in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Phillies. He now has a .278/.372/.528 slash line with two home runs, five RBI, and a stolen base. The entire O's lineup has been hot lately, so Smith may be an interesting fantasy option if he can continue to produce.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a strikeout in Wednesday's 9-3 loss to the Yankees. Smith Jr. crushed a seventh-inning Gerrit Cole fastball over the right-field wall for his first HR of the season. The 27-year-old is now 1-for-5 on the short season and will likely need some time to get warmed up, given that he missed most of Summer Camp due to having COVID-19. Hopefully, this game will help Smith Jr. get things started, but for now, fantasy players should wait before considering rostering him.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. reported to summer camp on Friday, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Smith was the last player to arrive. His late arrival likely means that he won't be ready for the start of the regular season, which is a hit to his already low fantasy value entering the 2020 campaign. If healthy, the 27-year-old left-handed hitter will be a reserve outfielder for Baltimore. In three seasons in the majors with the Blue Jays and Orioles, Smith has hit .252/.311/.423 with 15 home runs, 53 RBI, 46 runs and five stolen bases. He hit 13 long balls and stole five bags in 101 games last year, giving him some depth appeal for his power and speed in AL-only leagues.
Baltimore Orioles outfielders Dwight Smith Jr. and Anthony Santander haven't taken part in summer camp workouts a week into action for unspecified reasons. With two weeks until Opening Day, it's fair to wonder if they'll be ready. If one or both of Smith and Santander aren't ready for the start of the season, Mason Williams could make the Opening Day roster for outfield depth. If he's ready, Santander figures to be the team's starting left fielder, and designated hitter is also an option while likely hitting in the middle of the batting order. The 25-year-old is a nice value for those in deep mixed and AL-only leagues. Santander hit 20 home runs in 405 plate appearances in 2019. Smith should be more of a fourth outfielder for the O's.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smithwent 3-for-4 with two singles, a solo home run, three RBI and a strikeout in Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Blue Jays. The 26-year-old seems to be finding his stroke as the season winds down, having batted .368 in his last seven games. Smith could be a sneaky cheap DFS play Wednesday in the series finale against the Blue Jays.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith (calf) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Monday and served as the designated hitter in his first game action since July 30. Smith was hitting just .238 with a .708 OPS in 84 games before his injury and has played through several leg injuries all year. The rebuilding O's could give him regular playing time in the outfield in the last month of the season, but Smith would only be intriguing to close the year in AL-only leagues.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. went 2-for-4 with a single, a three-run home run, and a strikeout in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks. Smith Jr. took Merrill Kelly deep in the third inning for his 12th HR of the season. The 26-year-old has cooled off considerably after his hot start to the season and now owns a .237/.292/.424 slash line with 47 RBI. There are better outfield options out there in all leagues at this time.
Dwight Smith Jr. Goes Hitless Wednesday, Continues To Struggle
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Rays. The 26-year-old started off the season well but has struggled since returning from a concussion, hitting just .214 with three extra-base hits in 12 games. Fantasy players can find better options on the waiver wire at this time, so Smith Jr. should not be owned until he can turn things around again.