[1] While in college, Smith volunteered as a groundskeeper for the Augusta GreenJackets, the Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, from 2009 through 2011.

Eventually he got set up with a bullpen session with Steve Kline, Augusta's pitching coach at the time, who thought Smith had a projectable frame.

Smith instead opted to transfer to Campbell University to continue his college baseball career.

Smith had pitched to a 2–1 win-loss record and a 7.08 ERA in 20+1⁄3 innings for the Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Double–A Eastern League.

[9] Smith spent the 2017 split between the rookie–level Arizona League Padres, High–A Lake Elsinore Storm, San Antonio, and El Paso, accumulating a combined 3.04 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 26+2⁄3 innings of work.