Chicago Cubs first round pick Cam Smith isn’t done playing baseball in 2024, as the power-hitting third baseman has received another promotion. Smith, who began his pro career with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and was then bumped up to Advanced A-Ball with the South Bend Cubs, is now headed to Double-A.
So far so good for Smith as the 21-year-old has not stopped hitting since the middle of August, when he had a record-breaking home streak at A-Ball in the Carolina League. The 2024 first round pick then recorded a hit in nine straight games with South Bend and got a hit in 11 of 12 games in A+ ball.
Now, Smith is getting ready to make his debut at Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies.
MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo broke the news of Smith’s promotion Monday afternoon.
It took a bit of time for Smith to work on his new adjustments at the plate because there was a rough first week of games after he signed with the Cubs. However, since Aug. 17, Smith has a hit in 18 of 20 games, which includes multiple-hit efforts in nine of those contests.
That three-week stretch produced a 228 wRC+ in 91 plate appearances. Smith was 29-for-76 at the plate with a slash line of .382/.462/.737, 7 home runs, 4 doubles and a triple.
During his 12-game stint at A+ Ball, Smith slashed .333/.421/.500, which included an impressive showing of his pull power.
Cam Smith gets ALL of his first High-A @SBCubs homer 💥
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 5, 2024
The 2024 Draft's 14th overall pick (@Cubs) is slashing .429/.556/.643 since being promoted after tearing up Single-A (1.174 OPS).@FSUBaseball | @MLBDevelops pic.twitter.com/v1sqAvpmNF
The South Bend Cubs’ 2024 season is over, so this promotion to Double-A is in part because the organization wants Smith to continue playing this year. However, it’s very-much deserved and goes to show how quick Smith has adjusted to pro ball.
This is now back-to-back seasons in which the Cubs have eventually promoted their first round pick up to Double-A to end the year. Matt Shaw was elevated to Tennessee at the end of August last year and now Smith is following in his footsteps in 2024.
Heading into the final few weeks of the 2024 minor league season, Smith ranks No. 1 at the plate among first-round bats with 100+ plate appearances this year and third overall.
Smith will make his Double-A debut Tuesday. The Smokies have six games remaining in the regular season before beginning postseason play next week against the Birmingham Barons.
