Cam Smith’s journey to the Major Leagues is honestly wild. The Chicago Cubs picked him 14th overall in last year’s draft, and then—after just 32 minor league games—he debuted on opening day for the Houston Astros. That’s not exactly a normal path. Smith’s quick rise says a lot about his grit and the people who’ve had his back all along.
This post digs into the pieces of Smith’s life that shaped him. It’s about the big moments, the little ones, and the folks who nudged him toward becoming the athlete he is now.
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Early Life and Influences
Cam Smith started out in Lake Worth, Florida. His mom, Stephanie Hocza, raised him on her own. She worked long hours, so Smith had to grow up fast.
He’d get home from school, knock out his homework, and then walk to the grocery store for dinner. His mom rarely got home before late at night. That kind of independence? It stuck with him and bled into his approach to baseball.
The Role of Family
Smith’s grandma, Pattie Thomas, was the one who got him into baseball. She’d been a Cubs fan forever and signed him up for T-ball when he was five.
At first, Smith was more into the arcade than the games. But the more he played, the more he cared. By high school, he started to realize baseball could be more than a hobby—especially when scouts began showing up at his games.
High School and College Career
Smith showed real talent in high school. But it was his time at Florida State that really put him on the map. He had offers from Florida Atlantic and Florida State, and he went with the Seminoles.
His freshman year? It had its rough patches. Pitch selection and swing mechanics weren’t quite there. With help from his advisers and hitting coach Aaron Capista, Smith chipped away at those weaknesses.
Transformative Summer in the Cape Cod League
That summer in the Cape Cod League changed everything for Smith. His advisers saw it as a shot to wow the scouts and bump up his draft stock. Every week, he FaceTimed with Capista and adviser Jason Romano to tweak his approach at the plate.
He ended up batting .347, racking up 14 doubles, four triples, six homers, and 26 RBIs. He became the league’s top hitter. Not too shabby, right?
Draft and Minor League Success
After that Cape Cod summer and a strong sophomore season at Florida State, Smith grabbed second-team All-America honors and a ticket to the MLB draft. The Cubs picked him 14th overall. He wasted no time in the minors.
With Myrtle Beach, he played 27 games at A ball. At one point, he hit a home run in six straight games. That streak gave him a jolt of confidence and let everyone see his potential.
Trade to the Houston Astros
Then came the trade. The Cubs sent Kyle Tucker to Houston, and Smith headed to the Astros. He didn’t slow down. In spring training, he hit .342 with four homers and 11 RBIs. That earned him a spot on the opening day roster.
Manager Joe Espada couldn’t help but notice Smith’s mental toughness. He handled the chaos of a big-league season like he’d been there before.
Meteoric Rise to the Majors
Smith’s climb to the majors happened at breakneck speed. He sticks to a disciplined lifestyle—no alcohol, no caffeine. That’s not for everyone, but for him, it works.
“Everybody’s really good at this level,” he said. “So, I’ve got to do something different to get an edge.” That focus on simplicity and blocking out distractions? It’s paying off in a big way.
Impact and Future Goals
Now that Smith’s made it to the majors, he hopes to inspire others. He especially wants young Black athletes to chase their baseball dreams.
*I didn’t really have somebody to look up to or who was able to talk to me about being African American and playing baseball,* he said. *So, I wanted to be that influence on other young players to inspire them to know that it’s possible and to know that they can do it.*
Smith grew up in Lake Worth, and his journey to the MLB took a lot of dedication and discipline. He credits his family for their support along the way.
If you want more on Cam Smith’s story, check out the full article at NBC Sports.
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