Oakland Ballers Sign Former Washington Nationals Minor Leaguer

The Oakland Ballers have signed an Indy League veteran

The Oakland Ballers (a.k.a. B's) have signed an infielder for the second consecutive day, this time in Jaylen Smith. The 26-year-old went to community college at Chattahoochee Valley, then graduated from Kennesaw State in 2019. He has split time between second and third base during his career.

He was signed by the Washington Nationals ahead of the 2022 season, but was released before Opening Day, spending three weeks in the organization. He did not make it into any of the Nats spring training games. 

Smith has roamed around the Independent circuit in his time since graduation, playing in the United Shore League in 2020 and 2021, then moving to the Atlantic League in 2022 where he played in 45 games and hit .261 with a .370 OBP and stole ten bags in 11 tries. 

Last season Smith was on the move again, playing in both the Frontier League and 19 games (five plate appearances) in the Pioneer League. Combined, he got into 75 games and accrued 235 plate appearances, hitting .262 with a .326 OBP and 18 steals in 20 opportunities. In those five trips to the plate in the Pioneer League with the Grand Junction Jackalopes, he went 2-for-5 with a double and three strikeouts. 

With a 16% strikeout rate last season, it looks as though he can handle the bat well, and given that he was used in a number of games but didn't accrue a ton of at-bats, it would appear that his glove in the field is also pretty good. The latter is an educated guess, however. 

With the signing of Myles Jefferson earlier this week as another infielder, it will be interesting to see how the duo is used next season. Jefferson will be getting his first taste of professional ball while Smith is a seasoned veteran by comparison. Jefferson seems to have the better bat, though his stats, which include a .298 average over the past two seasons, are from college. 

The Ballers are scheduled to be at Fan's Fest on February 24th and may have some new merch items available. Game tickets have not gone on sale just yet, but when they do hit the market, we'll point you in the right direction.