EW grad Smith selected by Cleveland Indians in MLB draft

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 13, 2016 1:48 PM

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Zack Smith has come to a crossroads in his baseball career.

Does he stay on his current course -- finish out the season with Wayne County Post 11 and then head to the University of Charlotte?

Or does he take the road less traveled and make a set of new footprints?

Even Smith doesn't know at this point.

Just hours after he graduated from Eastern Wayne on Saturday morning, Smith received a phone call. The 6-foot-1 catcher -- who is a brick wall behind the plate -- was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 15th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.

"I was expecting a call at some time, didn't know when," Smith said. "But when we did get that call, I was super happy ... relieved. I thought I had a chance after last summer. A bunch of the scouts were talking to me about the draft and that's when it kind of hit hit me that it's a possibility that I could get drafted out of high school."

The 452nd selection overall, Smith is one of 18 high school players - out of 41 total picks - drafted by the Indians. He is the 10th player from Eastern Wayne to get drafted during Jabo Fulghum's tenure as head coach.

Smith has until early July to make a decision.

A formal contract has not been written for the ambidextrous 18-year-old, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

"We're still talking to them and trying to work out a deal so I can go ahead and start minor league ball," Smith said. "It's a big choice coming up and we've got a little time to think about it. Nothing is set in stone. Charlotte is still there."

If Smith signs, the Indians will send him to the Rookie League in Arizona. From there, he'll head to an instructional league and play winter ball. Cleveland's affiliates are Mahoning Valley (short-season Single-A), Lake County (Low-A), Lynchburg (Advanced-A), Akron (Double-A) and Columbus (Triple-A).

Should he not sign with Cleveland, he has to report to University of Charlotte by July 3 to begin the second summer session. Under MLB rules, Smith has to play three seasons with the 49ers before he's eligible for the draft again.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Smith said. "Three years (in Charlotte) is a long time and you don't know what can happen within those three years. We're looking at all possible scenarios about what to do. We're not leaving anything out.

"We'll go from there and see what happens."

Cleveland scouts like Smith's prowess and intensity behind the dish, and remarked that he has hitting ability. The 200-pounder batted .282, drew 17 walks and was named the team's co-Most Valuable Player this spring.

He finished his prep career with a .254 batting average and .365 on-base percentage over a 90-game stretch. During that same time, he logged a .980 fielding percentage with 134 putouts and 109 assists in 248 total chances.

EW won 46 games and made four appearances in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A state playoffs with Smith in the lineup.

Ironically, Fulghum and his father -- assistant coach and N.C. Sports Hall of Famer James "Rabbit" Fulghum -- both played catcher. Smith got a double dose of advice behind the plate during practice and games from two of baseball's most-knowledgeable minds.

Smith described it as an "awesome experience."

Post 11 head coach Jason Sherrer played catcher for the University of Mount Olive, which won the NCAA Division II College World Series in 2008. He said Smith received a well-deserved honor, and has plenty of tools as a player with unlimited growth opportunities.

Smith is just ready to get to work - either in Charlotte or Arizona.

"I'm not super overwhelmed, just trying to stay calm and relaxed ... let everything fall into place," Smith said. "That's really what my mindset is right now - stay grounded. Whatever happens happens."

Indeed.

Either road is not a bad direction.