The Chicago Cubs came into the 2024 MLB Draft with one of the strongest farm systems in baseball and in prime position to add another high-quality prospect picking 14th in the first round. Last season, Chicago struck gold with infielder Matt Shaw who is currently screaming up the farm system. With the 14th pick, the Cubs had a similar idea to grab an infielder with the potential for a high-impact bat in Florida State third baseman Cam Smith.
Scouting Report
Cam Smith is 21 years old and sits at 6'3 and 224 pounds. He has a pretty solid stature for playing a corner infield spot so he may push to a corner outfield spot, but it remains to be seen. In 2024, Smith played in 66 games and slashed .387/.488/.654. The righty hit 22 doubles, 16 home runs, and had 57 RBI.
His exit velocity is in the 100th percentile, but he hit it on the ground the 2nd most out of anyone in the ACC last season. If he can start hitting it in the air more regularly, you're looking at 30-home run potential. He does certainly seem to be a player who can make adjustments. As a freshman in 2023, Smith struck out 28.7% of the time while walking just 9.1% of the time. Come 2024, Smith almost walked as much as he struck out—striking out just 14.9% of the time while walking 13.7% of the time.
In fact, there was a lot of great growth from 2023 to 2024 for Smith. His chase percentage went from 33.5% to 21.7%, his whiff percentage went from 29.4% to 18.2%, and his barrel percentage went up from 18.3% to 26.9%.
Smith also raked in the Cape Cod League in 2023. In 44 games, Smith slashed .347/.406/.575 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, and 6 home runs to go with 26 RBI. Smith will need to make swing adjustments to succeed as a professional baseball player, but the Cubs are betting on his tools to develop into a great hitter.
Placement in Cubs' Top Prospects
Cam Smith has a high ceiling as an offensive juggernaut. He brings a strong arm as well even with his professional position being in flux. I'd put Smith solidly in the Cubs' top ten prospects, likely at 8 or so. It can be easy to get excited with new prospects and place them higher than they maybe should be. I think 8 is a solid place for Smith, though, in a crowded farm system.
Plan for 2024
After some time in Arizona, Smith will likely start off on one of the A-ball teams depending on how aggressive the Cubs want to be with him. I wouldn't expect him to rise through the system as quickly as Shaw did after being drafted last season, but the future is certainly brimming with potential for Cam Smith.
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