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Bud Smith's Contract Sold To Diamondbacks

March 16, 2007 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Long Beach Armada News Release

(Pleasanton, CA. March 16, 2007) The Golden Baseball League is pleased to announce that LHP Bud Smith's contract has been sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Smith is the eighth pitcher off the Long Beach Armada, and tenth overall, to have his contract acquired by a major league organization. Depending on how he does in spring training he will most likely start the year with the AAA Tucson Sidewinders.

Smith, 27, was a fourth round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school in the 1998 amateur draft. He rocketed through the minor leagues, winning AA Texas League Pitcher of the Year, and debuted in the second half of 2001 in the big leagues with St. Louis. He went 6-3 and was fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting, but most notably, he became the 18th rookie in major league history to throw a no-hitter as he blanked the San Diego Padres 4-0 on September 3rd. However, in 2002 arm troubles began and he underwent three surgeries on his left shoulder (labrum, labrum, rotator cuff) in the next three years. Returning home to southern California for rehabilitation after being released, he joined the Long Beach Armada last season and returned to his early career form as he posted a 2.70 E.R.A in 10 starts, including one complete game, under the tutelage of Long Beach pitching coach, and former member of the Detroit Tigers 1968 championship team, Jon Warden.

"Bud was cutting loose with his fast ball and really came on strong by the end of the season," says Warden. "I'm not surprised he's been acquired by Arizona as he was drawing tremendous interest from scouts, and could be back in a major league uniform very soon."

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Bud Smith's Contract Sold To Diamondbacks - Long Beach Armada

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