Houston Astros Add Lefty Smith, But What Does He Bring to the Bullpen?

With postseason experience, Will Smith locks a position in the Houston Astros' bullpen even though inconsistencies have plagued his 2022.

Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

The notion the Houston Astros were in dire of need of a left-handed reliever wasn't well supported. The Astros' bullpen posses strong performers with opposite splits — Phil Maton, Héctor Neris and Ryne Stanek.

But for manager Dusty Baker, a lefty was wanted, even with the three-batter minimum in effect for a second season. Will Smith's acquisition offers Houston's staff a project, a project to revive a veteran for postseason success.

Smith joins the Astros' staff as the second lefty on the 26-man roster behind starter Framber Valdez. But the lefty posted a 4.38 ERA in 37 innings for the Atlanta Braves this season.

His struggles don't mirror his postseason success nor his All-Star performance for the San Francisco Giants in 2019. Smith has 18 1/3 postseason innings in his career, allowing just three runs to his 16 strikeouts.

Strikeouts define the high chase and high whiff rate Smith has generated this season with his three-pitch mix of slider, four-seam fastball and curveball. The lefty's curve has the worst spin rate in Major League Baseball though, surrendering a 2.000 slugging percentage this season in a 78-pitch sample.

Smith picked up his Astros debut Wednesday in the ninth inning with a six-run lead. His defense put out three balls in play, all above 90 mph in exit velocity. Mixing in all three of his pitches, his slider is what allowed the 92.8 mph home run to Xander Bogaerts.  

Walks are also killing Smith's outings, with five per nine innings, roughly two more walks per nine than 2021. All around, he isn't seeing his best play in a $13-million season, but the Astros' staff is ready to fix the 33-year-old.

Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday former Astros minor league pitching coach Drew French — who is the Braves' bullpen coach — told Smith Houston can fix him.

With continued success reviving pitchers' careers, there is a consensus the same can be done with Smith. His postseason experience and high chase-rate could bode well towards preserving leads as the Astros inch closer to October.

Smith carries a $13 million team option for the 2023 season and a $1 million buyout. If the lefty doesn't live up to the expectations the Astros set, they'll save money the with Jake Odorizzi off the books and in Atlanta.

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