All-Star catcher Smith promoted to High-A
Seventh round pick leads Intimidators in RBI, extra-base hits
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 25, 2012) - The Kannapolis Intimidators and Chicago White Sox have announced that catcher Kevan Smith has been promoted from Class A Kannapolis to Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem. A seventh round pick by the White Sox in the June 2011 First Year Player Draft, Smith earned South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star honors in his first year of full season ball. In corresponding moves, Kannapolis received catcher Michael Marjama from Advanced Rookie Great Falls and pitcher Bryan Blough from Winston-Salem. Matt Talley, who was signed by the White Sox on Tuesday, has been transferred from Kannapolis to Advanced Rookie Bristol.
Visit Intimidating Insight Blog for replays of interviews with Smith
AUDIO HIGHLIGHT: Kevan Smith blasts 7th home run:
Smith, 24, entered this season as the No. 28 Prospect in the White Sox organization according to Baseball America and hit .280 (95-339) with seven home runs, 60 RBI and 26 doubles in 85 games with the Intimidators. Behind the plate, his .996 fielding percentage leads all catchers in the South Atlantic League, and he ranks second on the circuit throwing out 31 of 85 attempting base-stealers (.365) among qualifying catchers. Smith currently leads the Intimidators in RBI, doubles, hits and extra-base hits (33) and tied for the team lead in home runs and total bases (142).
In his professional debut in 2011, Smith broke onto the scene by hitting .396 in 26 games with Bristol before being promoted to Great Falls where he helped the Voyagers to the Pioneer League championship. He combined to hit .355 with nine home runs and 48 RBI in 56 games and was ranked 17th on the Pioneer League and 20th on the Appalachian League Top 20 Prospects List by Baseball America. He graduated from the University of Pittsburg where he earned First-Team All-Big East in 2010 and 2011. As a redshirt freshman, he started at quarterback for Pitt before focusing on baseball.
Smith joins four other Intimidators recently promoted to Winston-Salem over the last week. Outfielder Keenyn Walker, reliever Kevin Vance, and starting pitchers Erik Johnson and Scott Snodgress have all earned promotions to the Dash since July 18.
Blough returns to Kannapolis after spending the last month with the Dash, going 2-0 with a 4.40 ERA in seven relief appearances. Marjama, the White Sox 23rd round pick last summer hit .250 with a home run and nine RBI in nine games with Great Falls.
The Intimidators are on an 11-game road trip to Savannah, Delmarva and Hickory before returning to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on August 3 for a four-game series against the Rome Braves. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
Visit Intimidating Insight Blog for replays of interviews with Smith
AUDIO HIGHLIGHT: Kevan Smith blasts 7th home run:
Smith, 24, entered this season as the No. 28 Prospect in the White Sox organization according to Baseball America and hit .280 (95-339) with seven home runs, 60 RBI and 26 doubles in 85 games with the Intimidators. Behind the plate, his .996 fielding percentage leads all catchers in the South Atlantic League, and he ranks second on the circuit throwing out 31 of 85 attempting base-stealers (.365) among qualifying catchers. Smith currently leads the Intimidators in RBI, doubles, hits and extra-base hits (33) and tied for the team lead in home runs and total bases (142).
In his professional debut in 2011, Smith broke onto the scene by hitting .396 in 26 games with Bristol before being promoted to Great Falls where he helped the Voyagers to the Pioneer League championship. He combined to hit .355 with nine home runs and 48 RBI in 56 games and was ranked 17th on the Pioneer League and 20th on the Appalachian League Top 20 Prospects List by Baseball America. He graduated from the University of Pittsburg where he earned First-Team All-Big East in 2010 and 2011. As a redshirt freshman, he started at quarterback for Pitt before focusing on baseball.
Smith joins four other Intimidators recently promoted to Winston-Salem over the last week. Outfielder Keenyn Walker, reliever Kevin Vance, and starting pitchers Erik Johnson and Scott Snodgress have all earned promotions to the Dash since July 18.
Blough returns to Kannapolis after spending the last month with the Dash, going 2-0 with a 4.40 ERA in seven relief appearances. Marjama, the White Sox 23rd round pick last summer hit .250 with a home run and nine RBI in nine games with Great Falls.
The Intimidators are on an 11-game road trip to Savannah, Delmarva and Hickory before returning to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on August 3 for a four-game series against the Rome Braves. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.