St. Pius X Alum Signs with MLB Chicago White Sox

After graduating from St. Pius X, Smith embarked on his collegiate baseball journey at Incarnate Word (Texas) before transferring to The University of Kentucky. At Kentucky, he shone as a standout shortstop, playing a pivotal role in leading the Wildcats to the 2024 College World Series. His impressive performance on the field has now earned him a place in Major League Baseball.

Coach Kurt Hurley, baseball coach at St. Pius X, expressed his pride in Smith’s accomplishments. “We’re extremely pleased for Grant,” Hurley said. “He’s worked hard and achieved this goal of his. We hope that we at St. Pius X played a small part in helping him become the man and player that he is today. We are proud of him and encourage him to show the MLB what he’s made of.”

Smith’s Achievements and Honors:

• Gold Glove Award Finalist, SS (2023)
• Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Watch List
• Dean’s List (Fall 2022)
• SLC All-Conference First Team (2022)
• SLC All-Academic First Team (2022)
• Preseason SLC Second Team (2022)
• SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2021)

2023 Season Highlights:

Smith had a remarkable 2023 season, starting all 61 games for the Wildcats. He batted .281 with 192 at bats, accumulating 54 hits, 37 runs, eight doubles, eight home runs, and 30 RBIs. His .828 OPS, along with his defensive prowess, earned him a finalist spot for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Smith also led the SEC with 11 sacrifice bunts, ranking 13th nationally, and showcased his clutch performance with an impressive .765 batting average with runners on third and less than two outs.

Prior to Kentucky:

At Incarnate Word, Smith played three seasons, batting .297 in 445 at bats. He started all 116 games, scoring 91 runs and driving in 87. His offensive contributions included 21 doubles, two triples, and 16 home runs, resulting in an .861 OPS. During his time at Incarnate Word, he was selected to the Preseason SLC Second Team, named to the SLC All-Conference First Team, and made the SLC All-Academic First Team.

High School Career:

Smith's foundation in baseball was built at St. Pius X, where he guided his team to a New Mexico high school baseball state championship in 2019. He was a three-time All-District first-team selection and earned All-Metro second-team and All-State first-team honors in his senior year.

St. Pius X is incredibly proud of Grant Smith’s achievements and looks forward to seeing him excel in his professional baseball career. His journey from high school champion to MLB player is an inspiration to all our students, embodying the spirit of hard work, dedication, and excellence that we strive to instill in every Sartan. Go, Grant! Go, Sartans!

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