OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Thu 4/1/21 11:17 PM

Smith started in right field and went 1-for-2 with a double in Thursday's 8-7 loss to San Diego.
EDGE Analysis
Kole Calhoun (knee) was officially placed on the injured list Thursday, opening an opportunity for the left-handed hitting Smith against Yu Darvish. Left-hander Blake Snell is scheduled to throw Friday, which could mean Tim Locastro takes over in right. Calhoun will miss at least the first week of games.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Fri 3/26/21 5:18 AM

Smith started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a home run in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.
EDGE Analysis
Smith's first spring homer was all the offense the Diamondbacks could muster Thursday. He's competing with Tim Locastro for the opportunity to fill in for injured right fielder Kole Calhoun (knee), who is expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season. Smith is batting .271 (13-for-48) with five extra-base hits, two RBI and 10 runs scored in 23 spring games.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Sat 3/6/21 7:09 AM

Smith started in right field and went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in Friday's spring game against the Reds.
EDGE Analysis
Smith was the latest candidate to start in right field, the usual domain of the injured Kole Calhoun (knee), who may miss the first two weeks of the regular season. Smith recently added outfield to his portfolio, and he showed off with a nice running catch on a shallow fly. The 25-year-old first baseman/corner outfielder is 4-for-10 with two doubles and three runs scored in five spring appearances.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Thu 3/4/21 6:39 AM

Smith is one of several players competing for playing time in right field following Kole Calhoun's knee surgery, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Calhoun underwent successful knee surgery Wednesday, and he could miss games in April. Smith entered professional baseball as a first baseman but was exposed to the outfield in 2020 at the alternate training site. He brings a good plate approach and possesses a preternatural ability to discern pitches balls and strikes, but his power potential has come under scrutiny since being drafted in the first round of 2017 out of Virginia. The Diamondbacks believe he has tapped into more power in recent years, but that remains the big question: Can Smith slug enough as a corner infielder or outfielder? The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2020, posting a solid .270/.341/.405 line over 44 plate appearances.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Sat 9/26/20 5:01 AM

Smith went 1-for-5 with two walks and a solo home run over both ends of Friday's doubleheader sweep of the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Smith launched his first homer in the majors in the fifth inning of the second game. He started in left field for the matinee and at first base in the nightcap. The 24-year-old Smith, a 2017 first-round draft pick, has hit safely in eight of 10 games and has posted a .294/.350/.441 slash line during his introduction to the majors.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Wed 9/23/20 2:41 PM

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
EDGE Analysis
The lefty-hitting Smith gets the day off with a southpaw (Wes Benjamin) on the hill for Texas. Smith started each of Arizona's last five games, going 6-for-18 with a triple, four runs and two RBI.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Sat 9/19/20 6:15 AM

Smith started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in Friday's 6-3 win over the Astros.
EDGE Analysis
Pavin's hit safely in all six games since his callup, and the triple was his first extra-base knock. If the NL were to adopt the DH permanently, there might be a role for Pavin in 2021. He's currently blocked at first base and both corner-outfield spots, so a return to the minors may be how he starts next season.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Fri 9/18/20 7:04 AM

Smith started at first base and went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Angels.
EDGE Analysis
Smith made his fourth start in the last five games, appearing twice at first base, once at designated hitter and once in right field. He's hit safely in all four starts with five singles across 15 at-bats. Smith is getting valuable exposure to advanced pitching, which could lead to a backup role at first base and corner outfield in 2021. The 2017 first-round pick, who'd never played above Double-A prior to 2020, could also start at Triple-A Reno next year.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Mon 9/14/20 8:55 AM

Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.
EDGE Analysis
One day after starting in right field, Smith was back in the lineup at first base Sunday. He has very little track record as a stolen-base threat in the minors, so Sunday's steal was a rare event, coming on the back end of a double steal. In two games since his contract was selected Thursday, Smith is 1-for-7 with one walk, one steal and two runs scored. Along with several other prospects up with the team right now, Smith should get ample plate appearances going forward, although maybe not daily.

OUTPavin Smith
1B/DH ARI
Sun 9/13/20 6:39 AM

Smith started in right field and went 1-for-4 in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.
EDGE Analysis
Smith, a first-round draft pick in 2017, had his contract selected Thursday and made his MLB debut Saturday. He batted ninth and took the field in place of right-fielder Kole Calhoun. He's been a consistent hitter in the minors while playing corner outfield and first base.