Pavin Smith


Pavin Joe Smith is an American professional baseball first baseman in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He played college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Amateur career

Pavin participated in the Babe Ruth League's 2008 Cal Ripken Major70 World Series. His two home runs in the World Championship helped his Jupiter, Florida, team defeat Mexico 5-4. Smith attended Palm Beach Gardens Community High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He played for the school's baseball team as a first baseman and pitcher. The Colorado Rockies selected him in the 32nd round of the 2014 MLB draft, but he did not sign.
Smith enrolled at the University of Virginia to play college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team. He played the 2015 season with an ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow, which prevented him from pitching. Smith had the game-winning hit in the second game of the 2015 College World Series against Vanderbilt. Smith underwent Tommy John surgery after Virginia won the College World Series, and returned to play in 2016. He hit eight home runs as a sophomore. After the 2016 season, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star. In 2017, his junior year, Smith batted.342 with 13 home runs and 12 strikeouts.

Professional career

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Smith with the seventh overall selection of the 2017 MLB draft. Smith signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $5,016,300 signing bonus.
Smith made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League and spent his whole first season there, posting a.318 batting average with 27 RBIs in 51 games. He was named a postseason All-Star. Smith spent the 2018 season with the Visalia Rawhide of the Class A-Advanced California League where he hit.255 with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs in 120 games. After the 2018 season, he played in the Arizona Fall League. Smith spent 2019 with the Jackson Generals of the Class AA Southern League. Over 123 games, he slashed.291/.370/.466 with 12 home runs and 67 RBIs.

Personal life

As a Christmas present in 2017, Smith paid off his parents' mortgage. Smith is engaged to former University of Florida gymnast Amanda Cheney.