The White Sox selected Smith in the seventh round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.

He redshirted during his first year at Pittsburgh, in 2006,[3] and became the Panthers' starting quarterback in 2007 following an injury to Bill Stull.

[2] He lost his starting role to Pat Bostick, a freshman, after struggling in a 2007 game against the Michigan State Spartans.

[4] After the 2008 season, coach Dave Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh approached Smith about changing positions.

[6] The Chicago White Sox selected Smith in the seventh round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.

Towards the end of the season, Smith was promoted to the Winston Salem Dash of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League.

[8][9] He hit .290 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 106 games for Birmingham, and threw out 33 percent of baserunners attempting stolen bases.

[10] After the 2014 season, the White Sox assigned Smith to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.

[14] With Alex Avila going on the disabled list, the White Sox promoted Smith to the major leagues on April 24, 2016.

[26] Smith was promoted to the Rays' major league roster on July 21, 2020, after Colin Poche was placed on the injured list following a torn UCL.