Ex-Empire State Greys (Topper Lake, N.Y.) third and second baseman Jaylen Smith has signed on with the Oakland Ballers of the independent Pioneer Baseball League, the team recently announced on X.
Smith, 26, spilt the 2023 campaign between the Greys and Grand Junction Jackalopes (Pioneer League), batting .262 with three home runs, 17 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 210 at-bats in 75 games.
Before that, Smith inked with the Washington Nationals organization before the 2022 season, spending three weeks in their organization. But the team released him before playing in any spring training tilts, per YardBarker.com.
From there, Smith, in 2022, played with the Staten Island FerryHawks (N.Y.) and Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League. He totaled two longballs and drove in 16 runs with 10 base thefts in 92 at-bats in 45 contests between both stops.
Before turning professional, Smith attended Kennesaw State University and Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Ala. He also played high school baseball at Eagles Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Ga.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 