They’ve been shut although. Throughout a Could 2023 sequence between Cunningham’s Vanderbilt Commodores and Smith’s Arkansas Razorbacks they each pitched, however on completely different days. When their collegiate careers concluded in 2024, Cunningham was drafted by the Yankees within the second spherical (53rd total) whereas Smith grew to become the highest-drafted pitcher in Hogs historical past, going No. 5 total to the White Sox. However their paths have but to cross within the Minors.
“He is positively a great pitcher,” mentioned Cunningham of the previous Arkansas ace. “He is fairly dominant. It is fairly enjoyable to observe.”
However after a pause and amusing: “I hate going towards him, although.”
Smith: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 KCunningham: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 Ok
Smith had the higher total line, however Cunningham acquired off to the blistering begin. The 22-year-old retired six of the primary seven batters he confronted and persistently relied on his slider, which he’s continued to revamp throughout his stint with the Photo voltaic Sox.
“I’m simply attempting to realize management of it and use it for leverage on my facet,” mentioned Cunningham of the new-look providing. “I really feel like I am simply persevering with to develop every outing and getting a little bit higher every time.”
“He was actually good,” mentioned Smith of his former SEC compatriot. “He threw nicely at this time and he threw nicely his whole school profession. It’s cool to see the fellows you performed in school right here within the Fall League.”
Total, the AFL numbers haven’t been the important thing takeaway for Cunningham, who’s making up for misplaced innings after coping with proper shoulder points that sidelined him throughout his regular-season run with Excessive-A Hudson Valley. It’s been a lot the identical for Smith, who additionally handled accidents this summer season with Double-A Birmingham. He has centered on discovering out how his arsenal works in numerous eventualities throughout his time with the Desert Canines.
“I attempted to throw extra changeups at this time simply to work on it in-game and it was good,” mentioned Smith. “I’m simply attempting to execute what I do nicely. … Simply go on the market and compete the perfect I can.”
By means of 4 Fall League begins, final 12 months’s fifth total choose has collected 17 strikeouts throughout 10 frames. The one hit he allowed Wednesday was a 64.5 mph cue shot off the top of the bat by Ryan Lasko (ATH No. 17).
Smith’s newest begin was a reminder of how dominant he will be when he limits free passes (6.3 BB/9 charge throughout 83 1/3 Minor League innings). The 22-year-old southpaw threw first-pitch strikes to 9 of 11 batters and completed with 27 of his 40 pitches going for strikes. Perhaps most encouragingly after working his manner again from a sore elbow, his fastball velocity averaged out at 95.6 mph total and sat above 95 in every of his three frames.
Beneath the hood of Cunningham’s outing, he was spectacular as nicely. Of his 46 pitches, only one measured out as being hard-hit. Batters swung at his slider when it was within the zone practically 80 p.c of the time, but had been unable to sq. up the providing.
Smith and Cunningham have gone from buying and selling spectacular performances within the SEC to doing so within the Fall League as two of the circuit’s premier arms. Perhaps, generally, it simply does imply extra.
