Former UNM pitcher Stephen Smith has finally gotten the proverbial monkey off his back, as Smith signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"It was a relief," he said. "Finally, actually getting to sign a contract after playing baseball for four years (in college) and not getting anything until my fourth year."
Smith will be playing for the Dodgers' Single-A club - the Gulf Coast League Dodgers - based in Vero Beach, Fla.
In his final season with the Lobos, Smith posted a 5-2 record and was one of the main reasons the Lobos secured their first visit to the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship game.
Smith gutted out a courageous performance in the semifinals against TCU, going 8 2/3 innings, collecting eight strikeouts while allowing only one earned run, culminating in a 3-2 Lobo victory.
After the tournament concluded, Smith was named to the All-Tournament team.
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Despite shining in the tournament, Smith still did not hear his name called in the 2008 MLB Draft, which took place June 5-6.
Smith said the Dodgers saw him play earlier in the season, when the Lobos played TCU, and then again when he threw against TCU in the tournament. However, little contact had been made from the Dodgers, or any pro teams, even after having such a remarkable outing against the MWC champions.
"There wasn't much. The (Colorado) Rockies and the (New York) Mets, and then obviously the Dodgers.
But Smith said he kept himself in shape, in hopes of possibly receiving a phone call.
"I went home," he said. "Threw a couple bullpens just to stay in shape. Nothing happened, so I started working for my parents. Then, I got the phone call, so I went out and threw another bullpen to get in shape before I came out to (Florida)."
After posting a 5.01 ERA this past season, Smith said he has to work on his ball placement.
"I feel like I need to work on commanding my pitches," he said. "And being able to throw at any time, in any situation. I need to brush up on my mechanics. But mainly, I just have to keep working hard."
For right now, though, Smith is focused on getting back on the mound.
"I got thrown right into the mix," he said. "I'm capable of throwing off the mound, but I'm not game-ready yet."
However, he said he'd be ready to make a game appearance within the next week or two.
"I just want to throw," he said. "I haven't really got out onto the mound, but I'm anxious. I want to show them what I have."
Smith said he's doing what he can to make sure his hard work lands him in a major league uniform.
"I don't know (how long it will take)," he said. "It'll take as much time as I put into it. If I put in a lot of work and work on being able to control my pitches and throw strikes - be able to throw them at any time. If I work myself into the shape that those (MLB players) are in - and I mean, it'll take awhile - but hopefully it'll come someday."
