Smith now an Isotope reliever

Steve Smith might sound crazy, but he really just loves a challenge.

Consider one of Smith’s first lines after joining the Albuquerque Isotopes on Saturday:

“I love pitching in this park,” the right-hander said.

	Today Iowa at Albuquerque, 1:35 p.m., 610 AM

That’s not a statement one might expect from a pitcher in full possession of his faculties, but Smith has ample reason to appreciate Isotopes Park. He spent two seasons pitching there as a University of New Mexico Lobo, and that tenure sparked his unlikely climb through the Los Angeles Dodgers system.

A former non-drafted free agent, Smith received his first Triple-A call-up Saturday. He did not get on the field Saturday night as the Isotopes improved to 3-0 with an 8-3 victory over visiting Iowa.

UNM alum or not, Smith’s delight in returning to Albuquerque might seem curious. He pitched for UNM in 2007 and ’08, when college bats were springy as trampolines and humidors were cigar-related. His career record with the Lobos was 11-11 with an earned-run average just south of 6.

Still, Isotopes Park served Smith well.

“You learn how to pitch here,” Smith said. “This park forces you to keep the ball down, throw different pitches, work in and out. It made me a much better pitcher.”

Such was evident in Smith’s final UNM start. He pitched 8â…” strong innings, striking out eight as the Lobos defeated TCU 3-2 in a Mountain West Conference tournament semifinal.

“I wanted to pitch that game,” Smith recalled, “and it ended up being one of the best games I ever pitched.”

“Steve pitched his tail off that night,” UNM coach Ray Birmingham added. “TCU had a great lineup and he stuffed them. He was awesome.”

The outing wasn’t enough to get Smith’s name called in that summer’s major league draft, but it helped convince him he could succeed at the professional level. He signed a less-than-lucrative free-agent deal with the Dodgers and began adapting to relief pitching.

“It was tough,” Smith said, “but for me, I’ve never had anything given to me, whether it was Little League, high school or college. Playing pro ball was my goal right along, so I just took the same mindset I always had: work hard and do everything you can to get better.”

So far, so good. The 6-foot-2 reliever has steadily worked his way up the Dodger chain, compiling an 18-13 overall record with a 3.36 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 302 innings along the way.

After spending most of last season at Rancho Cucamonga, Smith was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, where he did not allow a run in six appearances.

Smith, 26, spent some time with the big-league Dodgers this spring but was assigned to the team’s extended spring training facility in Glendale, Ariz., when the season started. He came to Albuquerque when the Isotopes placed reliever Steve Ames on the disabled list with shoulder inflamation.

Now, Smith is the third former Lobo to wear an Isotopes uniform, joining pitcher Scott Strickland and outfielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez.

Ironically, Smith and Cavazos-Galvez were UNM teammates and ended up together at the Dodgers’ extended spring training facility. Cavazos-Galvez is still there.

“I talked to Brian (Saturday) morning,” Smith said, “and we were saying how great it would be if we could play here together again. We’ll see.”

What Smith’s role will be with the Isotopes and how long it will last remain to be seen.

Regardless, Smith plans to put his Isotopes Park background to use in facing his latest challenge.

“Honestly, I just want to pitch the way I have the last few years,” Smith said, “not change for Triple-A. It’s better competition but I like that. It forces me to be better.”

— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal