Biographical

Portrait of Drew Smyly

Drew Smyly PBraves

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 30)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date6-13-1989
Height6' 2"
Weight188 lbs
Age34 years, 10 months, 11 days
BatsL
ThrowsL
1.02015
1.42016
2017
2018
0.32019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2012 DET MLB 23 18 99.3 4 3 0 93 33 94 12 105 8.4 3.0 1.1 8.5 0% .295 1.27 3.77 3.99 93 3.78 86.7 1.6
2013 DET MLB 63 0 76.0 6 0 2 62 17 81 4 100 7.3 2.0 0.5 9.6 0% .290 1.04 2.33 2.37 75 2.57 61.5 1.9
2014 DET 0 21 18 105.3 6 9 0 111 31 89 14 104 9.5 2.6 1.2 7.6 0% .313 1.35 4.11 3.93 104 4.69 115.1 0.2
2014 TBA 0 7 7 47.7 3 1 0 25 11 44 4 95 4.7 2.1 0.8 8.3 0% .184 0.76 3.09 1.70 99 3.03 74.4 1.0
2015 TBA MLB 12 12 66.7 5 2 0 58 20 77 11 109 7.8 2.7 1.5 10.4 0% .283 1.17 3.88 3.11 99 3.83 89.5 1.0
2016 TBA MLB 30 30 175.3 7 12 0 174 49 167 32 104 8.9 2.5 1.6 8.6 33% .291 1.27 4.44 4.88 109 4.66 103.1 1.4
2019 PHI 0 12 12 62.7 3 2 0 62 21 68 13 100 8.9 3.0 1.9 9.8 40% .306 1.32 4.74 4.45 102 5.10 104.7 0.4
2019 TEX 0 13 9 51.3 1 5 1 64 34 52 19 108 11.2 6.0 3.3 9.1 29% .310 1.91 8.07 8.42 136 9.68 198.5 -2.2
2014 TOT MLB 28 25 153.0 9 10 0 136 42 133 18 101 8.0 2.5 1.1 7.8 0% .000 1.16 3.79 3.24 103 4.18 102.4 1.2
2019 TOT MLB 25 21 114.0 4 7 1 126 55 120 32 104 9.9 4.3 2.5 9.5 35% .308 1.59 6.24 6.24 118 7.16 147.0 -1.8
CareerMLB181106684.3353436492166721091038.52.81.48.837%.2921.264.214.161024.53101.95.3

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2011 LAK A+ FSL 14 14 80.3 7 3 0 71 21 77 1 102 8.0 2.4 0.1 8.6 0% .317 1.15 2.51 2.58 77 3.76 76.9
2011 ERI AA EAS 8 7 45.7 4 3 0 32 15 53 1 94 6.3 3.0 0.2 10.4 0% .287 1.03 2.42 1.18 75 2.96 60.4
2012 DET MLB AL 23 18 99.3 4 3 0 93 33 94 12 105 8.4 3.0 1.1 8.5 0% .295 1.27 3.77 3.99 93 3.78 86.7
2012 TOL AAA INT 7 7 17.7 0 2 0 22 8 25 3 98 11.2 4.1 1.5 12.7 0% .413 1.70 4.06 6.11 90 5.97 124.4
2013 DET MLB AL 63 0 76.0 6 0 2 62 17 81 4 100 7.3 2.0 0.5 9.6 0% .290 1.04 2.33 2.37 75 2.57 61.5
2014 DET MLB AL 21 18 105.3 6 9 0 111 31 89 14 104 9.5 2.6 1.2 7.6 0% .313 1.35 4.11 3.93 104 4.69 115.1
2014 TBA MLB AL 7 7 47.7 3 1 0 25 11 44 4 95 4.7 2.1 0.8 8.3 0% .184 0.76 3.09 1.70 99 3.03 74.4
2015 TBA MLB AL 12 12 66.7 5 2 0 58 20 77 11 109 7.8 2.7 1.5 10.4 0% .283 1.17 3.88 3.11 99 3.83 89.5
2015 PCH A+ FSL 3 3 8.3 0 0 0 10 0 9 1 92 10.8 0.0 1.1 9.7 0% .360 1.20 2.56 5.40 79 4.54 99.7
2015 MNT AA SOU 1 1 3.7 0 0 0 1 3 4 0 86 2.5 7.4 0.0 9.8 0% .111 1.09 3.57 0.00 106 3.64 79.9
2015 DUR AAA INT 3 3 10.7 0 2 0 13 6 13 2 96 11.0 5.1 1.7 11.0 0% .367 1.78 5.12 8.44 98 4.82 105.7
2016 TBA MLB AL 30 30 175.3 7 12 0 174 49 167 32 104 8.9 2.5 1.6 8.6 33% .291 1.27 4.44 4.88 109 4.66 103.1
2018 SBN A MID 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 94 0.0 0.0 0.0 27.0 0% .000 0.00 -2.52 0.00 41 2.49 52.6
2019 PHI MLB NL 12 12 62.7 3 2 0 62 21 68 13 100 8.9 3.0 1.9 9.8 40% .306 1.32 4.74 4.45 102 5.10 104.7
2019 TEX MLB AL 13 9 51.3 1 5 1 64 34 52 19 108 11.2 6.0 3.3 9.1 29% .310 1.91 8.07 8.42 136 9.68 198.5
2019 SAN AAA PCL 3 3 12.7 1 0 0 10 3 18 2 90 7.1 2.1 1.4 12.8 31% .296 1.03 3.71 4.97 85 2.50 51.5

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2012 1744 0.4891 0.4289 0.7714 0.5686 0.2952 0.8495 0.6274 0.2286
2013 1280 0.4680 0.4633 0.7538 0.6227 0.3231 0.8525 0.5864 0.2462
2014 2528 0.4850 0.4648 0.7643 0.6223 0.3164 0.8427 0.6189 0.2357
2015 1134 0.4762 0.4762 0.7389 0.6111 0.3535 0.8303 0.5952 0.2611
2016 2885 0.4711 0.4686 0.7470 0.6394 0.3165 0.8101 0.6335 0.2530
2019 2130 0.4592 0.4418 0.7418 0.6391 0.2743 0.8240 0.5791 0.2582
Career117010.47480.45710.75340.62050.30990.83210.61070.2466

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-06-29 2014-06-29 DTD 0 0 - General Medical Illness -
2012-07-07 2012-07-29 15-DL 22 17 Right Trunk Strain Intercostal - -
2012-06-11 2012-06-26 15-DL 15 13 Left Fingers Blister Middle Finger - -
2012-04-17 2012-04-17 DTD 0 0 - Low Back Contusion Batted Ball - -
2011-04-20 2011-05-28 Minors 38 36 Left Elbow Soreness -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2025 CHN $2,500,000
2024 CHN $8,500,000
2023 CHN $8,000,000
2022 CHN $4,250,000
2021 ATL $11,000,000
2020 SFN $4,000,000
2019 TEX $7,000,000
2018 CHN $3,000,000
2017 SEA $6,850,000
2016 TBA $3,750,000
2015 TBA $2,650,000
2014 DET $520,000
2013 DET $498,000
2012 DET $
YearsDescriptionSalary
11 yrPrevious$51,518,000
2019Current$8,500,000
12 yrPvs + Cur$60,018,000
1 yrFuture$2,500,000
13 yrTotal$62,518,000

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
10 y 143 dFrontline2 years/$19M (2023-24), 2025 option

Details
  • 2 years/$19M (2023-24). Signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 12/23/22. 23:$8M, 24:$8.5M, 25:$10M mutual option ($2.5M buyout). Smyly may opt out of contract after 2023 season with 100 innings pitched in 2023. 2024-25 salaries may increase up to $3M based on innings pitched in the previous season: $250,000 each for 110, 120 IP. $750,000 each for 130, 140 IP. $1M for 150 IP. Annual performance bonuses in same amounts at same levels: $250,000 each for 110, 120 IP. $750,000 each for 130, 140 IP. $1M for 150 IP.
  • 1 year/$5.25M (2022), plus 2023 club option. Signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 3/18/22. 22:$4.25M, 23: club option ($1M buyout). May earn additional $2.5M in performance bonuses. Chicago Cubs declined 2023 option 11/8/22.
  • 1 year/$11M (2021). Signed by Atlanta as a free agent 11/16/20.
  • 1 year/$4M (2020). Signed by San Francisco as a free agent 1/16/20. Roster bonuses: $250,000 for 130 days on active roster. Performance bonuses based on games started: $250,000 each for 12, 14, 16, 18 GS. $300,000 each for 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 GS. Performance bonuses as a reliever: $250,000 each for 25, 35 GF. $125,000 each for 45, 50, 55, 60 GF.
  • 2 years/$10M (2018-19). Signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 12/12/17. 18:$3M, 19:$7M. 2019 performance bonuses: May earn up to $6M as a starter, up to $1M as a reliever. Acquired by Texas in trade from Chicago Cubs 11/2/18. DFA by Texas 6/21/19. Released by Texas 6/25/19. Signed by Milwaukee as a free agent 7/1/19 (minor-league contract). Released by Milwaukee 7/18/19 (exercised right to opt out of contract). Signed by Philadelphia as a free agent 7/21/19 (due pro-rated portion of $555,000 Major League minimum, or $211,855).
  • 1 year/$6.85M (2017). Acquired by Seattle in trade from Tampa Bay 1/11/17. Signed by Seattle 1/13/17 (avoided arbitration). Non-tendered by Seattle 12/1/17.
  • 1 year/$3.75M (2016). Won arbitration with Tampa Bay 2/4/16 ($3.75M-$3.2M).
  • 1 year/$2.65M (2015). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 1/16/15 (avoided arbitration). May earn additional $50,000 in performance bonuses based on games started.
  • 1 year/$520,000 (2014). Re-signed by Detroit 2/24/14. Acquired by Tampa Bay in trade from Detroit 7/31/14.
  • 1 year/$498,000 (2013). Re-signed by Detroit 2/22/13.
  • 1 year (2012). Contract selected by Detroit 4/12/12.
  • Drafted by Detroit 2010 (2-68) (Arkansas). $1.1M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
Weighted Mean?????0.0?00?.0000.000.00?0.00.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Drew Smyly

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2018-11-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)Garrett Richards just signed for 2 yr / $15M knowing he'll likely only pitch 1 year after TJ surgery. Drew Smyly got $10M in a similar deal. The Indians drafted Brady Aiken and paid him a $2.5M bonus when he was recovering from TJ. How do teams value the impact of TJ? Do they just value year 1 at $0, and then take their projected value in year 2 and ajust it down 25% or so? It seems more straightforward for FA than for prospects or draft prospects where the tail of control is longer.
(Matzabal from CO)		I think it varies by org. Some teams are going to me more comfortable with TJ rehab guys than other. Obviously the Nats have a long history of taking history of taking these types of arms, although that's more in a draft scenario like you said. I assume most teams build in a certain amount of assumed stuff/performance regression to these contracts. But I feel like it's much more individualized risk than that. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-01-18 20:00:00 (link to chat)I'm having a lot of anxiety deciding on my final keeper in a dynasty league. Top of the rotation is easy, but after the first 3, I'm at a loss. Appreciate your opinion of my choices: Matt Moore, Taijuan Walker, Drew Smyly, Matt Andriese, or Yordano Ventura. It's an AL only league, but I have an open crossover slot.
(Jim from Middlefield)		I still stand with Walker. (Bret Sayre)
2016-08-01 16:00:00 (link to chat)My depth SP in a 14 team points lg are DeSclafani Joe Ross Hammel and Odorizzi. Any reason to consider dropping one of them for Drew Smyly or Brandon McCarthy? Thanks.
(dylanrox from New Orleans)		You're OK as is. I could see a case for dropping Ross for McCarthy in this format and riding the hot hand if you wanted to. (Mike Gianella)
2016-01-21 19:00:00 (link to chat)Projection for Drew Smyly this year if he throws 175 innings?
(Lover of Arms from The Rubber)		Considering that he's eclipsed 150 innings just once since 2012, 175 is an aggressive number, but I wouldn't rule it out. There's a ton to like with Smyly if you can overlook the legitimate durability concerns. 175 IP = 3.30 ERA (3.84 DRA) 195 K (10 K/9) 1.17 WHIP (SP30-35 range) (George Bissell)
2015-02-13 19:00:00 (link to chat)Who are a couple hitters and pitchers you see breaking out this year? Thoughts on Bogaerts?
(Jobu from Cerrano's locker)		I like George Springer coming through and meeting a lot of the potential/hype we were looking at last year. Oswaldo Arcia is a boom/bust proposition this year, but if he can even get the average to .250 there is a lot of power there. For pitchers, I think Zack Wheeler takes a big step forward this year and I also like Drew Smyly joining Cobb as a big impact guy for the Rays.

I'm closer to Ben Carsley on Bogaerts than I am to the negative nellies. I see some improvement this year, with 15-17 home runs and a .260-.270 average a realistic expectation. I agree with Ben and think the breakout comes in 2016 or 2017. (Mike Gianella)
2014-08-29 12:00:00 (link to chat)Drew Smyly. Rays magic?
(Ken Tuckee from wilshire)		Smyly is a solid pitcher, but he's probably just on a hot run. Tommy Rancel noted over the weekend that he's using his cutter more to his arm side, which is lifted from the Jon Lester playbook (and something I wanted to see from him). He's got three quality pitches, control, brains, and guts. You don't need a whole lot more to find success in the majors. Let's just give it a little more time before we buy into him as a monster. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-03-12 14:00:00 (link to chat)Am I alright with a fantasy pitching staff anchored by Scherzer, Cain, Shelby Miller, Andrew Cashner, RA Dickey, Drew Smyly and Tyson Ross?
(Lou from washington)		I have no idea. How big is your league? I like a lot of those pitchers. If you're in a 20-team NL-only league, well done! (Except for the three AL guys.) (Ben Lindbergh)
2014-03-14 09:00:00 (link to chat)Why are the experts so pessimistic on Drew Smyly? Obviously he can't replicate what he did last year but he still seems like a strong option.
(Dave from Boston)		Hi Dave (I'm going to be saying "Hi Dave" in my sleep tonight).

Are we? I like Smyly a lot. I think my big concern is going to be with durability/him holding up over the course of a full season given that he pitched out of the pen last year, but I think the numbers are going to be very good. (Mike Gianella)
2014-02-26 19:00:00 (link to chat)Do you see Drew Smyly having a good year this year?
(Sumner from The beach)		I think so. Transitioning from a reliever to a starter is an iffy proposition. There are a lot of success stories and a few guys (most famously Joba) who failed.

I think he'll be fine this year. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-02-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Doug, just wondering what your thoughts are on today's fantasy article on Pitchers To Avoid? And anyone you would add to that list?Thanks
(DanDaMan from SeaCliff)		Great stuff from the fantasy staff today in this article: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22928

I would add anybody on the Brewers, esp Estrada who seems to be getting some helium in drafts. Same with Drew Smyly. I will also be staying away from Liriano, Ubaldo, and both Wood's. (Doug Thorburn)
2013-10-07 18:00:00 (link to chat)List 5 hitters and pitchers that you feel could be breakout players in 2014. Thanks for the chat, Mike!
(Brett from The Office)		Hi Brett.

Hitters: Christian Yelich, Billy Hamilton, Oscar Taveras, Avisail Garcia, Josmil Pinto.

Pitchers: Jameson Taillon, Rafael Montero, Drew Smyly, Jimmy Nelson, Taijuan Walker. (Mike Gianella)
2013-07-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)I know there is no room in the Tigers' rotation, but do you think Drew Smyly's talent is being wasted in the bullpen?
(BF from New York)		It depends on his change-up, which rarely makes an appearance out of the 'pen. A lefty starter without a change-of-pace can run into trouble against a platoon-stacked lineup.

On the jukebox: Aerosmith, "Dream On" (Doug Thorburn)
2013-04-25 12:30:00 (link to chat)When do you think that J. Leyland will realize that Porcello is better suited on the bench or the minors than starting over Drew Smyly? One, maybe two more starts?
(G Money from Atlanta)		I'm as guilty as anyone of expecting big things out of Porcello this season, even before his great spring training. The fact that Detroit's bullpen isn't exactly rock solid will buy Porcello a few more starts, I'd think, since Smyly is a guy who can go multiple innings out of the pen. (Ben Lindbergh)
2013-01-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who from the following list of young 4th/5th starter talent types have the best chances at a solid 2013: Dan Straily, Jose Quintana, Joe Kelly, Drew Smyly, AJ Griffin, David Phelps, Erasmo Ramirez, and Patrick Corbin?
(Paul from DC)		I don't know if Kelly, Smyly, or Corbin will get a full slate of starts, I know Phelps won't. That leaves Griffin, Straily, Quintana, and Ramirez and I'd lean toward one of the first two. (R.J. Anderson)
2013-01-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)Which of these young starters has the best year in 2013: AJ Griffin, Matt Harvey, Drew Smyly, and Jose Quintana?
(Paul from DC)		I like Matt Harvey by a wide margin. He's easily got the best stuff of the bunch, and his debut was electric. Quintana/Smyly/Griffin are back of the rotation types and they lack the sizzle of Harvey. (Josh Shepardson)
2012-11-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Detroit lefty Drew Smyly had a pretty decent rookie season with a 1.268 WHIP and 94 Ks in 99 IPs. Does this 2010 2nd round draft pick project as a #3 or better starter?
(Paul from DC)		I see Smyly as a 4, but he could be a solid one at that, which is a little more than I saw from him in 2011. The one shot he has, as do most young arms, to change their profile, is to command everything better. Cliff Lee is a great example. Was never a top prospect, never expected to be a 2 let alone a one who wins a Cy Young and challenges for five others.

As for Chen, I think he is what he is, for the most part, but we could see some small, incremental progressions in some areas, particular with runners on base. There is generally a transition period with Asian pitchers, especially since the ball is different. (Jason A. Churchill)
2012-05-21 14:00:00 (link to chat)Long-term outlook for Drew Smyly? Strike-throwing 4/5 or something more?
(RationalSportsFan from Indy)		The former. (Kevin Goldstein)


BP Roundtables

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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Drew Smyly has thrown 19,111 pitches that have been tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2012 and 2024, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2024, he has relied primarily on his Curve (80mph) and Sinker (93mph). He also rarely throws a Slider (81mph) and Splitter (87mph).