Career of Promising Rookie Cut Short

June 13, 2020 - Boston Globe

Earlier today, while hosting the Federals, the Cardinals suffered an unexpected blow when 24 year old, rookie shortstop Leon Smith sustained a severe tear of the labrum in his right shoulder. Team doctors and orthopaedic specialists at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Womens Hospital, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital reached consensus that the damage was a career ending injury. Leon never again will be able to dazzle fans with his defensive skills. After 218 official at bats, Leon's budding career is over.  

Smith was drafted out of the University of Oregon by the Cardinals in the 9th round of the 2018 first year player draft. During the past two seasons he quickly progressed from single-A to triple-A ball. In April he was named the #61 prospect in the ABL.

In twenty-four Spring Training games in March, Smith earned the starting shortstop job by recording a .328/.371/.621/.992 slash line with two uncharacteristic home runs and thirteen runs batted in. Quite simply, he won the job.

In the first ten weeks of the regular season, however, Smith struggled at the plate. The coaching staff remained confident that Leon would return to form and increase his production over time as he gained experience and developed confidence. Meanwhile, he played extremely well in the field. 

The Cardinals already were very thin in terms of talent at the infield positions. The loss of Leon Smith intensifies the need to exchange one or more talented outfielders, of which the Cardinals have many, for infielders with comparable skills.

For the time being, Donald Cameron will inherit the starting shortstop role. Cameron is a very gifted defensive infielder with incredible range and outstanding ability to make the pivot at the second sack. He has not yet hit well during the current season, but he is a veteran of four campaigns who can supplement his sparkling defense with an acceptable level of production at the plate.