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Pitt, Seneca Valley Alum Kevan Smith Traded to Atlanta Braves for Cash

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Seneca Valley High School alum and former Pitt quarterback and catcher, Kevan Smith was traded to from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday afternoon for cash considerations. 

Smith, a Harmony, Pennsylvania native and seventh round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2011, was active with the Braves’ major league club for their series finale vs. the New York Mets on the same day he was traded. He did not enter the game but wore No. 52.

 

 

“I know talking with the Rays, talking with Charlie (Morton, who spent his previous two seasons with Tampa Bay), guys really like him over there,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s just adding depth to the position. … Kevan, you look at his numbers, he’s been a guy who doesn’t strike out a lot and can swing the bat a little bit. I saw him in Triple-A a few years ago with the White Sox. They say reports are good on him.” 

The 33-year old Smith was signed by Tampa Bay to a minor league contract last winter and has spent most of his time with the Rays at their alternate training site in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was in his second stint with the Triple A Durham Bulls when traded. 

Smith’s most recent stint in the majors lasted nine days from May 7 to 16, during which he appeared in three games and made one start. In his lone start behind the dish, Smith went one for four with a single on May 13 vs. the New York Yankees. He was recalled to the minors when fellow catcher Francisco Meija returned from the injured list. 

Over 233 career MLB games with the White Sox, Angles and Rays, Smith owns a .271 batting average with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs. 

In his college days Smith spent two years as a quarterback for the Panthers. In 2008, Smith appeared in five games, completed 56.3% of his passes for 415 yards and threw for one touchdown to four interceptions. 

He committed to baseball full time in 2008 after losing his starting spot to then-freshman Pat Bostick. Over three seasons with the Panthers baseball team, Smith batted .375 with 19 home runs and made the All-Big East team twice. 

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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