​Another Pensacola Catholic Crusader is moving on to professional baseball. Michael Smith Jr., a 2023 graduate and outfielder from the University of Dayton, was selected 395th overall by the San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the MLB Draft on July 12.
Smith, who transferred to Dayton prior to this season after two years at Prairie View A&M, put together an impressive stat line for the Flyers: a .332 batting average, a .502 on-base percentage, and a .588 slugging percentage. He belted 10 home runs, drove in 56 runs, swiped 38 bases, and scored 65 runs. His speed and all-around offensive production helped him set the Flyers’ single-season record for stolen bases, while he was tied for the team lead in RBIs. His outstanding performance earned him a place on the second team All-Atlantic 10 list. He also earned an invitation to the MLB Draft Combine, which took place June 23–26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, where he delivered a strong showing and caught the attention of multiple teams.
Before his college career, Smith was a four-year starter at Pensacola Catholic High School, where he batted .320 with 11 home runs over his prep tenure. His outstanding high school performance earned him PNJ First Team All-Area honors as a senior, highlighting his early potential and readiness to compete at higher levels.
As for his professional future, Smith will have until July 27 at 4 p.m. CT to sign with the Padres or return to Dayton for his senior season. This decision comes after a notable ascent through the professional and collegiate ranks, underscoring his ongoing development and the confidence the Padres organization has shown in his abilities.
The original reporting for this story appeared in the Pensacola News Journal, providing broader context on Smith’s journey from Pensacola Catholic to a position on an MLB organization’s radar and his prospects for the upcoming season.