The worst ever in KBO → ML 1 inning 2K perfect! Will Yuri overcome the stigma of 'all-time' and join the big league opening roster in a surprise move

*This content was translated by AI.

Birch Smith (36), who had been with the Hanwha Eagles for a very short time in the past, showed good performance in the third exhibition game.

Smith pitched one inning with two strikeouts and perfect pitching in the Tampa Bay Rays and 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park in Fort Charlotte, Florida on the 1st (Korea time).

Smith took the mound as the team's fourth pitcher in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Detroit leading 12-1. As soon as Smith took the mound, he struck out by throwing a fast four-seam fastball of 97.4 miles (about 156.8 km/h) on a 2-1 ball count in his favor against leadoff hitter Marshall Tool.

The next batter is Cooper Kinney. Four balls were enough again this time. Smith, who had an advantageous ball count of 0-2, sprayed one ball and threw a curveball for the fourth time, striking out the rookie. According to the MLB's official website Game Day broadcast, it was found that it was slightly buried in the strike zone on the body.

Smith scored two strikeouts in an instant. Jake Fraley then came to the plate. I only threw three balls this time. After catching an advantageous 0-2 ball count, he threw a changeup on the third pitch and thinned it with a ground ball to the first base. It was the moment Smith completely deleted the first inning with stable control and strong ball control.

Smith, who finished pitching on the day, has a 6.00 ERA, 0.357 hit rate and 1.67 on-base allowed per inning (WHIP) in three exhibition games this season, along with five hits (one homer) and two runs (two earned runs) and five strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Smith has signed a minor contract with the Detroit Tigers ahead of this season, dreaming of making a big league leap forward. Detroit also has Closer Ko Woo-seok, who represents the KBO League.

Smith has received the invitation to spring camp and is currently doing his best to impress the coaching staff. If Smith is listed on the Major League roster this season, he will be guaranteed an annual salary of $1.5 million (about 2 billion won). It is by no means a considerable amount for a 36-year-old pitcher.

Smith, who made his major league debut for the San Diego Padres in the 2013 season, has played for various teams. Before entering Korea, he played for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics (now Athletics).

He then played for the Seibu Lions in the Japanese professional baseball (NPB) in the 2022 season and experienced Asian baseball. Seibu pitched in 20 games, with one win, four holds, one save and 37 strikeouts with an ERA of 3.29 (38 ⅓ innings).

Then, in December 2022, he signed a contract with Hanwha Eagles and raised expectations. However, the result was the so-called "worst meal and run ever." On April 1 of that year, he felt pain in his shoulder while pitching in the opening game against the Kiwoom Heroes, and the examination revealed fine muscle damage. As a result, this was the first and last match on the Korean stage. He left Korea after playing only one game. The KBO league's performance marked three hits, no four outs, two strikeouts and two runs in two ⅔ innings with an ERA of 6.75.

Of course, Hanwha fans' feelings toward him could not have been good. At the time, some fans visited his personal social networking service (SNS) and left a message of criticism. Then, Smith appeared angry, saying, "Take care in the garbage country."

Smith is back on the big league stage in the 2024 season. After playing for the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles in the 2025 season, he played for a minor league team under the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, he was sluggish with a 7.08 ERA (16 earned runs in 20 ⅓ innings) with two wins and no losses in 19 games on the Triple-A stage, and was finally released. Since then, he has succeeded in rebounding in the Dominican Winter League, with 20 strikeouts in 15 ⅓ innings. Amid this performance, he was eventually called by Detroit ahead of the 2026 season.

However, Smith is always suffering from injuries, so attention is being paid to his physical condition. Smith, who underwent elbow ligament joint surgery (Tommy John Surgery) in 2015, suffered a left abdominal muscle injury in 2019 and was out for the season in 2020 after being diagnosed with a sprained right forearm muscle. Struggled with groin injuries in 2021 and right flank injuries in 2022. In 2024, he was also on the injured list with a sprained right elbow. It is no exaggeration to say that it is truly the best 'glass body' of all time. Will Smith be able to stay in the big leagues using this exhibition game as a springboard.

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*This content was translated by AI.