#5 Starter: Travis Smink, Luray

I feel the need to write something before covering the #5 starter: it was EXTREMELY difficult to rank the last five starters in the league. In fact, I had to rank the last five in ERA, innings pitched, opponent's batting average, BB/9, K/9, and WHIP, assigning 5 points for the best, and 1 point for the "worst." That was almost the only way to rank these guys.

If I were starting a team with a draft pick, I would take any of the five in a heartbeat. I think that these five in a rotation for a college or minor league team would be tough to beat. Understand: the top five pitchers in the league, according to ATVL, are so close they could be interchangeable.

So, now to Travis. The best way to understand the impact VMI's Travis Smink had on the Luray Wranglers last summer is to look at his first start and last start. On May 31st, Travis threw 6 innings against the Harrisonburg Turks, allowing 4 hits, 1 run (unearned), 0 walks, and 2 strikeouts in the 7-1 win. Then, in game one of the championship series, he throttled the Covington Lumberjacks, throwing 8 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, 4 walks, and 11 strikeouts in the 3-0 win. This to say that Travis Smink, both with his pitching and leadership, was critical to the Wrangler's success. In fact, Coach Mike Bocock called Smink his MVP.

For the season, Smink's numbers looked like this: 6-1, 1.88, with a 1.059 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, and 7.1 K/9 in 62 1/3 innings. He finished 5th in he league in ERA, tied for 2nd in wins, and 6th in innings pitched. He was named to the All-League first team at starting pitcher.

Smink has thrown in three seasons for VMI:

2006: 7-4, 4.40, 2 saves, 1.506 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 4.6 K/9 in 73 2/3 innings
2007: only 2 starts before succumbing to Tommy John surgery
2008: 2-1, 3.48, 7 saves, 1.18 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9, 7.4 K/9 in 44 innings

In addition, Smink threw in the Valley League for Front Royal in 2006:

2006: 1-3, 5.40, 1.38 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 7.4 K/9 in 40 innings

The few scouts I spoke to during the season mentioned Smink as a pitcher to watch, so it's no surprise Baseball America named him the #7 prospect in the league. The writeup:

Used mostly as a reliever at VMI since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2007, Smink excelled in 10 starts for Luray. The 6-foot-2 lefthander was 6-1, 1.88 with just 10 walks in 62 innings, tied for fewest walks among all Valley starters who qualified. Operating primarily in the mid-80s from a three-quarters arm slot, he has exceptional command of three pitches, including a sweeping, late-breaking curveball that is especially deceptive to righthanded hitters. A fierce competitor on the mound, Smink is expected to return to VMI next spring as the Friday starter.

That "fierce competitor" desciption is apt: I saw a look in his eye before the August 3rd game against Covington- he was going to throw well, no matter what it took.

With the buzz from scouts, I'll be shocked if Smink does not get drafted in June 2009. One thing is clear, though- he was one of the top five starters in the entire league last season. Congratulations, Travis!

(Above photo courtesy of Haymarket Joe)

Comments

[GeneralsSignGuyMike]

He had some great numbers I can see from last year, the weirdest thing is I never got to see him play the times the Generals played the Wranglers or even the game versus Vienna. But I know he was one of or if the best pitcher for Luray.

[Jerry Carter]

I would agree that the top five are tough to seperate but Travis has "it" and think it will get him through to the next level and then some.