Dylan Smith #66

Graduated from Stafford High School (Texas), where he played his final two seasons. He began his high school career at St. Pius X High School in Houston before transferring to Stafford. Was a 2018 Rawlings Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American following his senior season...Selected by the Padres in the 18th round of the 2018 draft but elected to attend Alabama. Smith was rated as the No. 25 right-handed pitcher in the state of Texas and No. 46 player overall by Perfect Game...With his draft selection out of high school, he became the first Stafford athlete to be selected in the MLB Draft directly out of high school and only the third Stafford alum to ever be selected. He had his jersey retired (No. 15) on Jan. 12, 2026...During his games at Alabama, his mom, grandma and great-grandma were often in the crowd wearing his jerseys to cheer him on...Nickname is “The Real Deal” after his mom started calling him that when he was young and playing every sport. She said he would always adapt and become better than everyone...Grew up an Astros fan in Houston and watched a lot of the Astros teams managed by AJ Hinch. He’d later play for Hinch in Detroit when he debuted in 2025...Grew up playing football, basketball, soccer and track and field in addition to baseball. He had Division 1 offers to play football out of high school but decided on baseball.

2025

Embarked on his first season as a full-time reliever after being used as a starter from 2022-24...Had his contract selected from Triple-A Toledo on May 30 and made his MLB debut a few days later on June 2 at Chicago-AL with 2.0 scoreless relief innings...pitched again the next day and allowed two runs in 1.0 inning...Made seven total appearances with the Tigers at the Major League level, also appearing in games from June 19-July 2...Allowed two runs on six hits in 13.0 innings with Detroit (1.38 ERA) in the seven games...struck out four, walked five and hit three batters...Landed on the Triple-A injured list with a right shoulder strain on July 10...appeared in rehab games at Single-A Lakeland and High-A West Michigan before returning to Triple-A on Sept. 9...In total he was 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 30 games (one start) between Single-A Lakeland, High-A West Michigan, Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. 

2024

Injuries limited his action as a starter. He appeared in only 14 games (making 13 starts) at High-A West Michigan before landing on the injured list on June 23 with a right rotator cuff strain. He did not pitch the rest of the year.

2023

Combined to make 12 appearances (11 starts) between the Rookie-level FCL Tigers, High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie...Began the year at Double-A before landing on Erie’s injured list on April 23 with a right forearm flexor strain. He missed the next two months before starting a rehab assignment through the Florida Complex League and High-A West Michigan...Once fully healthy, he was assigned to West Michigan on Aug. 18 and finished the season there...Made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, making six starts for Salt River but had a 7.29 ERA (17 ER, 21.0 IP). 

2022

Began his first season of pro ball at High-A West Michigan and appeared in 14 games (13 starts) before he was placed on the IL with right elbow tendinitis on June 30...Returned to action a month later on a rehab assignment at Single-A Lakeland before re-joining West Michigan on Aug. 10 and finishing the year in their rotation...Struck out 89 batters in 88.1 innings between the two Minor League stops.

2021

Played collegiately at the University of Alabama, while he had his best season as a junior in 2021, finishing the year with a 3.84 ERA (98.1IP/42ER) and 113 strikeouts, which were the third-most in a season in school history...Was named to the Ruston All-Regional Team after throwing a complete game vs. Rider.