Jeff Smith (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Jeff Smith is a coach in the Minnesota Twins
' organization. He currently manages their Double-A Eastern League affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats
.
by the Twins in the twentieth round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft
out of Stetson University
, and played at various levels within the organization from - . Smith also played minor league
ball with the Boston Red Sox
in , and the Texas Rangers
in 2003 and until major left knee surgery after the 2004 season ended his career. He has no Major League
experience.
before the start of the season. He was promoted to manager of the Beloit Snappers
, the Twins' Midwest League
Single-A affiliate the following year. He guided the Snappers into the post-season both seasons at the helm, compiling a 153-125 record for a .550 winning percentage. He was named Baseball America
Class A Manager of the Year in 2007.
. In his first half season managing the Miracle, they captured the Florida State League
first-half West Division title with a 45-24 record, tying the franchise record set in for wins in a half season. In the FSL Western division playoffs, the Miracle swept the second half winning Dunedin Blue Jays
in two games to capture their first division crown since . They lost the championship series to the Daytona Cubs
in four games.
In Smith's second season as manager, the Miracle achieved a franchise first by capturing both the first and second half division crowns in the Florida State League's newly realigned South Division. They faced the Charlotte Stone Crabs
, who finished second both halves, in the South Division Finals. Despite a 14-6 regular season record against the Stone Crabs, the Miracle lost in three games to Charlotte. On August 31, Jeff Smith was honored as the FSL’s Manager of Year. Following the season, he replaced Tom Nieto
as manager of the Rock Cats. Nieto will be managing the triple A Rochester Red Wings
.
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
' organization. He currently manages their Double-A Eastern League affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats
New Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
.
Playing career
Smith was selected as a catcherCatcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
by the Twins in the twentieth round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft
1995 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
out of Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
, and played at various levels within the organization from - . Smith also played minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
ball with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in , and the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in 2003 and until major left knee surgery after the 2004 season ended his career. He has no Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
experience.
Coaching
Smith accepted his first coaching job as hitting coach of the Gulf Coast League TwinsGulf Coast League Twins
The Gulf Coast League Twins are the Rookie "A" Level Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The team plays in Fort Myers, Florida, at the Lee County Sports Complex....
before the start of the season. He was promoted to manager of the Beloit Snappers
Beloit Snappers
The Beloit Snappers are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Minnesota Twins, that plays in the Midwest League.Beloit joined the Midwest League as an expansion franchise in 1982. They were a Milwaukee Brewers farm team from its beginning through 2004; they switched to the...
, the Twins' Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
Single-A affiliate the following year. He guided the Snappers into the post-season both seasons at the helm, compiling a 153-125 record for a .550 winning percentage. He was named Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Class A Manager of the Year in 2007.
Fort Myers Miracle
In , Smith was promoted again to the Twins' advanced-A affiliate, the Fort Myers MiracleFort Myers Miracle
The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in...
. In his first half season managing the Miracle, they captured the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
first-half West Division title with a 45-24 record, tying the franchise record set in for wins in a half season. In the FSL Western division playoffs, the Miracle swept the second half winning Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
in two games to capture their first division crown since . They lost the championship series to the Daytona Cubs
Daytona Cubs
The Daytona Cubs are a minor league baseball team based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team plays in the Florida State League , and is the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs major league club. The Cubs play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark; opened in 1914, the park seats 5,100 fans.The...
in four games.
In Smith's second season as manager, the Miracle achieved a franchise first by capturing both the first and second half division crowns in the Florida State League's newly realigned South Division. They faced the Charlotte Stone Crabs
Charlotte Stone Crabs
The Charlotte Stone Crabs are a minor league baseball team based in Port Charlotte, Florida. The team are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team....
, who finished second both halves, in the South Division Finals. Despite a 14-6 regular season record against the Stone Crabs, the Miracle lost in three games to Charlotte. On August 31, Jeff Smith was honored as the FSL’s Manager of Year. Following the season, he replaced Tom Nieto
Tom Nieto
Thomas Andrew Nieto is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Nieto previously served as the New York Mets' bench coach and catching instructor. A native of Downey, California, Nieto attended Oral Roberts...
as manager of the Rock Cats. Nieto will be managing the triple A Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
.