Former Florida State standout Cam Smith has officially completed his contract signing with the Chicago Cubs. According to Carlos Collazo of Baseball America, the Cubs finalized a deal with their first-round draft selection, agreeing to a contract valued at $5.07 million on Saturday afternoon.
Smith began his collegiate career at Florida State in 2023 and immediately made an impact. Across 51 games, he posted a batting average of .258, accumulating 54 hits including eight doubles, five triples, and 12 home runs. He also contributed 36 RBIs, scored 39 runs, and ranked second on the team in runs, hits, and walks (21).
Smith’s standout performances were pivotal in Florida State’s return to the Men’s College World Series for the first time since 2019. He delivered crucial moments such as hitting two home runs consecutively against UCF in the NCAA regionals and an impressive 5-for-9 performance against UConn in the super regionals. In the College World Series itself, Smith continued to excel, hitting doubles in each of his initial two games and scoring a run in a victory against North Carolina.
Reflecting on his journey, Smith expressed his elation, stating to the 11Point7 podcast after the Men’s College World Series, “It’s a dream come true. I’ve always been a Florida State fan, and just knowing that I played for Florida State baseball in this uniform in Omaha, there’s nothing better.” Smith honed his skills at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida, where he was ranked as the top shortstop in the state of Florida and the 53rd overall prospect nationally by Perfect Game.
One notable aspect of Smith’s game is his acute awareness of his strengths and weaknesses. “So, one thing about me is anything I hit is pretty much opposite field,” Smith explained during a mic’d up session at MCWS batting practice at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, per MLB.com. “Just straight opposite field, just to get that feel of staying inside the ball. Rarely will you see me pull the ball in BP.”
Smith entered the radar as a top 100 prospect leading up to the 2022 MLB Draft. His development during his tenure at Florida State, coupled with experience in the Cape Cod League, contributed to his rise, culminating in a No. 14 ranking by MLB this year. According to Smith’s scouting report, he “already looks the part with plenty of strength. How consistently he hits will dictate how often he can tap into his plus raw power, and he’s answered that question positively last summer and this spring.”
