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Jun 04, 2012 - Jun 06, 2012     
TBD - ,
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-8 225   L/L
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
1/20/12: It’s very trite to compare height-advantaged left-handed pitching prospects to future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, despite the fact that Johnson is one of the more unique talents in the history of the game. The 6-foot-8 and over left-handed pitcher demographic isn’t a very populated one and it isn’t sexy to compare a potential stud to Mark Hendrickson or Lee Guetterman. That being said, there are some valid comparisons between Johnson and the Ohio high school southpaw Matt Smoral aside from their shared height. The first is that Smoral throws from a mid-to-low three-quarters release point that is going to be absolutely scary to left-handed hitters, especially when he learns not to throw from the far third base side of the rubber and creates better angle to the plate. The second is that Smoral’s best pitch is arguably a hard and sharp 84 mph slider he has developed over the last six months and looks to be a potential plus-plus pitch in the future. The third is that Smoral comes about his velocity very easily; he hit 93-94 mph frequently at the WWBA World Championships in late October and throws with little effort. With a slender and relatively narrow upper half and a wider, stronger lower half, it’s easy to see Smoral getting stronger over the course of time and adding even more velocity. Escaping the Johnson comparison for the time being, Smoral has shown both the ability to throw a mid-70s curveball with good spin and depth to it along with a 83 mph changeup that he throws with arm speed consistent with his fastball and very good late sinking life. There is a chance that he could have four quality big league pitches in the future should he need or want them. One of the most attractive aspects of Smoral’s prospect resume is that he has shown so much development across the board over the last 16 months. In the summer of 2010, he was topping out at 89 mph and lacked good feel for his off-speed stuff. A year later, he started firming up his body and was touching 91-92 mph and beginning to define his secondary pitches and flash quality. In the fall he was topping out at 94 mph on the big stage and showing a plus breaking ball with the chance for another plus off-speed pitch. Scouts love to see that progression and Smoral has been showing it to them. In what is shaping up to be a very good 2012 high school pitching class, Smoral is increasingly standing out as having perhaps the second highest ceiling of the group behind RHP Lucas Giolito. He doesn’t throw as hard as the bevy of 6-foot-1 right-handers with present plus fastballs, nor does he have the breaking ball of fellow left-hander Max Fried. But all the indicators are there that Smoral has more room to grow before he reaches his peak than any of them. Scouts are probably already anticipating what could be one of the most heavily attended matchups this spring when Smoral faces off against fellow top prospect, Ohio native, North Carolina signee and Midland Redskins teammate RHP Taylore Cherry on April 21 at Midland Field in Amelia, Ohio, just outside of Cincinnati.




Oct 20, 2011 - Oct 24, 2011   Midland Redskins/Royals Scout Team  46
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-8 225   L/L
FB
94
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
90-94
CB
SL
84
CH
84
Split
Knuckle




Aug 14, 2011 - Aug 14, 2011   East  
PETCO Park - San Diego, CA
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-8 225   L/L
FB
92
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jun 16, 2011 - Jun 19, 2011   1-Columbia Blue  29
City of Palms Park - Ft. Myers, FL
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-8 225   L/L
FB
94
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
90-93
CB
76
SL
CH
83
Split
Knuckle
Related Scout Blogs 
Matthew Smoral is a 2012 LHP with a 6-8 225 lb. frame from Solon, OH who attends Solon HS. XX Tall build, wide hips, narrow upper half with lots of room to grow, young body. Tall balanced delivery, low effort, very loose and free arm, clean arm circle, 3/4's arm slot, occasionally falls off on release, throws from the 3B side of the rubber and loses angle to his pitches, especially to left handed hitters. 90-93 mph fastball, touched 94, flashes hard boring life at times, good sink at others. Curveball has hard plus spin when thrown hard, will let up on curveball at times, rare change up. Better command of pitches to right handed hitters, tends to pitch passively to left handed hitters. Very high ceiling talent, has all the tools. Good student, verbal commitment to North Carolina. Named to the Perfect Game All American Classic team.
PG Grade 10.0




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Matthew Smoral P 2011 National Showcase
Oct 08, 2010 - Oct 11, 2010   Midland/Royals Scout Team  20
Terry Park - Ft. Myers, FL
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-5 215   L/L
FB
91
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
88-91
CB
75
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Aug 01, 2010 - Aug 04, 2010     
Joker Marchant Stadium - Lakeland, FL
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-5 205   L/L
FB
89
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-87
CB
69
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle

PG Grade 9.0




Jun 15, 2010 - Jun 16, 2010   Red  24
Tropicana Field - St. Petersburg, FL
Matthew Smoral
LHP 6-5 205   L/L
FB
89
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
87-88
CB
SL
79
CH
Split
Knuckle
Matthew Smoral is a 2012 LHP/ with a 6-5 205 lb. frame from Solon, OH who attends Solon. Smoral has an excellent pitchers build, uses a mid to low 3/4 arm slot to produce high 80's fastballs, loose arm, repeats delivery well. hides ball, good extension, minimal effort, good slider with late bite, projects very well, more velo to come. High level LHP to follow very closely.
PG Grade 10.0




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Matthew Smoral P 2010 Jr National Showcase