Oregon State shortstop Smith picked in eighth round

With the 237th overall pick, the Mariners selected Tyler Smith, a right-handed shortstop out of Oregon State University. The eighth-round selection is potentially the Mariners' third shortstop taken in the first 10 rounds, depending on what the organization decides to do with catcher/shortstop Tyler O'Neill.

"He's a dependable shortstop that can run," Mariners scouting director Tom McNamara said.

Smith is hitting .301 for the Beavers with two triples, seven doubles and a pair of home runs in 49 games. He is also 9-for-11 in stolen-base attempts. This is the first time being drafted for the business major from Thousand Oaks, Calif.

"If he can't make it as an everyday shortstop, you've got a guy that can play second, third," McNamara said. "And he runs, he swings the bat OK, so we're happy.

Smith was a catalyst for the Beavers, who were 7-5 when he missed 12 games midseason due to injury. OSU was 38-5 with Smith in the lineup.