Brockton's Smith Sold to Cincinnati
January 8, 2004 - Canadian American League (Can-Am) News Release
Durham, NCâ The Cincinnati Reds have purchased the contract of Brockton Rox OF Nestor Smith. Smith, 25, was traded to the Rox prior to the 2003 season and served as the team's leadoff hitter. Smith registered a .290 batting average with seven home runs and 44 RBI's, helping lead the Rox to its first ever league championship.
"Recycling players back to organizational ball is the goal of all independent teams," said Rox Owner Van Schley.
For Brockton Smith marked the fourth player signed by a major league organization this off-season. That is the most any Northeast League team has sold to major league organizations since Allentown sold four players in the 1999-2000 off-season.
"This signing just proves that this is a highly scouted league and is a testament to the talent and level of play here in the Northeast League," said Rox All-Star Skipper Ed Nottle. "That is the reason why ballplayers come here in the first place, here they have the opportunity to get back into affiliated ball."
Smith started and finished his only year in Brockton with a bang. In his first 14 games with Brockton, Smith hit 22-for-59 (.373) with six multi-hit games and nine RBI's. In the playoffs Smith thrived as well hitting .294 with a home run in the championship clinching game over the North Shore Spirit.
For Smith it was the second championship in as many years as he was an integral member of the San Angelo Colts 2002 Central League Championship. Smith put up impressive numbers finishing fourth in the league in batting average (.328), second in the league in triples (9), third in stolen bases (37) and third in runs (73).
Smith, a native of Maturin, Venezuela, began his career in the Dominican Summer League as a third baseman in the New York Yankees organization. After switching to the outfield Smith caught on with the Minnesota Twins organization and advanced as high as double-A with the New Britain Rock Cats in 2001.
After the 2003 season Smith accepted an invitation to play in his homeland with Aragua Tigres of the Venezuelan Winter League. Injuries held Smith to just 31 at-bats with the Tigres.
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Canadian American League Stories from January 8, 2004
- Rox All-Star Skipper Onboard For 2004 - Brockton Rox
- Lumberjacks Announce Winner of New Pool Table - Bangor Lumberjacks
- Lumberjacks Acquire Closer - Bangor Lumberjacks
- Brockton's Smith Sold to Cincinnati - Can-Am
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