The Next Baby Bomber – Caleb Smith

The youth movement is in full effect in the Bronx as it seems like the New York Yankees are calling up a new prospect every single series. Miguel Andujar up, Miguel Andujar down the next day. Tyler Austin up, Tyler Austin injured and Tyler Austin straight back down. Dustin Fowler, Tyler Wade, Rob Refsnyder, Clint Frazier, Jordan Montgomery and the list goes on and on. Could the next baby bomber on that list be left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith?

Smith is currently pitching in Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders and while he is no Chance Adams, and let me take a quick second to once again marvel at what Adams is doing for the Yankees Triple-A affiliate right now, the lefty has been quite impressive for some time now. The Chicago Cubs took Smith in the Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees only to return him to the organization and the lefty has been pitching with a proverbial chip on his shoulder ever since.

Smith made one relief appearance in Double-A with the Trenton Thunder before pitching his next 15 games, at the time of this writing anyway, at Triple-A including 14 of them as a starting pitcher. Smith has somehow quietly posted a 7-0 record with a 2.20 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 82 innings of work for the RailRiders. Smith’s command is top notch and his stats are as well which helped him earn a spot in the Triple-A All-Star Game in 2017 which will be played on Wednesday, July 12 in Tacoma, Washington’s Cheney Stadium.

Smith is not on the Yankees 40 man roster as of right now but could be added relatively easy, the Yankees have shown this time-and-time again this season. Smith may be the ideal candidate for a call-up if the Yankees need another arm soon rather than rushing Adams who still has a couple things to work on in Triple-A including his command. There’s no reason to start Adams’ service time clock if you don’t need to and the Yankees may not need to with a secret weapon in Smith sitting there in Triple-A just waiting on the call.

If the Yankees need an arm they need to make the call because not only is Smith ready, but he’s earned it as well. I have a sneaking suspicion we will be seeing you soon, Caleb.