There is homegrown talent and then there is Jake Smith. The Giants’ rookie right-hander isn’t just a product of San Francisco’s minor-league system – he worked within, too.
For parts of three years, from 2009-11, Smith worked as a part of the grounds crew for Single-A Augusta. Now, he’s on the Giants’ 40-man roster, with a locker in the clubhouse, and could be part of the big league’s team bullpen soon.
“You know the scene from ‘Caddyshack,’ right?” Giants pitching coordinator Bert Bradley told MercuryNews.com. “Former groundskeeper, now leading the Masters … well, we actually have that.”
Smith, 25, joined the grounds crew following his freshman year at junior college Darton State College. His coach, Augie Rodriguez, was the assistant groundskeeper and offered him the opportunity. It was, however, only voluntary. He didn’t receive compensation.
“I love the game, and I wanted to see how it was run from the professional side, see how professional players conducted themselves,” Smith said.
His break came when Rodriguez convinced Augusta pitching coach Steve Kline to give Smith a look.
“You know how people say stuff,” Kline said. “But we got him off a mound and he threw a pretty good breaking ball. He looked like he had an idea.”
The Giants were willing to give a small signing bonus and sign him, but Smith opted to transfer to Division I Campbell University in North Carolina.
After two years there, the Giants drafted him in the 48th round in 2011. Last year, Smith dominated at Single-A San Jose, becoming the team’s closer. In 84 1/3 innings pitched in 56 games, he limited opposing hitters to a .172 average and struck out 118 while issuing just 21 walks.
He is expected to begin this year at Double-A Richmond, where Kline just so happens to be the pitching coach.
“I guess it’s pretty cool,” Smith said. “But they’re the ones who took time out of their day to watch me pitch. I don’t think it would’ve been possible without that.”