Spirit's Take: Here's what 2023 pitcher commit Gabe Smith brings to Ole Miss
A month removed from a national championship and the 2022 MLB Draft taking its toll on the current roster and the Top 5 2022 signing class, head coach Mike Bianco and his staff are back at it again adding more talent to the Ole Miss baseball locker room.
On Wednesday, Father McGivney Catholic (Ill.) right-handed pitcher Gabe Smith announced his verbal commitment via Twitter.
The 6-foot-5, 220 pound hurler brings a polished game to Bianco’s 2023 class, comfortably sitting in the lower 90’s with a fastball which has been clocked at 2200-2300 RPMs. As a junior, he chipped in liberally at the plate, hitting .404, driving in 41 runs, slapping 15 doubles and also adding four home runs.
On the mound, Smith posted a 7-1 record with a 1.83 earned run average. In 46 innings pitched, he struck out 75, walked just 21 and only allowed 12 earned runs in 10 appearances. Opponents hit just .173 against him with an on-base percentage of just .287, giving him a sparkling 1.08 WHIP.
The newest Rebel commit was a part of a club who won 30 or more games in back-to-back years, including 28-straight in 2022. This past season FMCHS finished with an overall record of 32-5 and a 7-1 record in the Gateway Metro conference.
Perfect Game saw him at the 2022 National Indoor Showcase and had this to say:
Gabe Smith is a 2023 RHP/1B with a 6-4 220 lb. frame from Edwardsville, IL who attends Father McGivney Catholic. Extra-large, athletic frame with broad shoulders and present physical strength proportioned throughout frame. Ran a 7.87 60-yard dash. Right-handed pitcher, nice tempo to operation on the mound, long and off line arm action through the back but works through clean and easy to a lower three-quarters release point. Fastball topped out at 89 mph with running life to arm side, more velocity in the tank too; shows the ability to work to both sides of the plate while attacking hitters. Nice present feel for changeup, tunnels very well and locates well to outer half, up to 80 mph on the pitch with comfort to throw to batters of either handedness. Will continue to develop consistent feel for curveball, up to 70 mph. Deception on changeup and feel for mixing stood out. Very good student. Named to National Indoor Top Prospect List.
Smith joins Bianco’s 2023 class which already has six Top-300 prospects and is ranked 18th nationally with four Top-100 commits.
