THE GATEKEEPER
Louisville-bound Smith ready to display skills, show that ‘I could play for Marist and produce for Marist’
Noah Smith verbally committed to Louisville before he had played his first high school game at Marist.
That was four years ago, during the fall of his freshman year.
It’s also the type of enormous skill set Smith possessed at an early age, especially defensively as a shortstop,
He can flash some serious leather.
“His range is unbelievable,” Marist coach Kevin Sefcik said. “He has a great arm. There isn’t a play he can’t make.”
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Smith is almost unrecognizable from his sophomore year. The Illinois High School Association canceled last season due to the coronavirus pandemic, which kept players completely out of the spotlight.
Of course, most teenagers hit a growth spurt. Smith, meanwhile, has undergone an eye-popping physical transformation.
He obviously spent considerable time in the weight room. His upper body is V-shaped, gradually widening from the waist to the shoulders.
“The biggest development for me has been in the weight room,” Smith said. “I’m bigger, stronger and faster. I’ve also worked on my lower half and my hips to generate more power.”
Sefcik has marveled at Smith’s change in appearance.
“He’s completely different physically,” Sefcik said. “It seems like every time I see him he grows an inch. He’s big. He’s a doubles guy now who can hit for power.”
Smith’s development isn’t exclusive to his body.
He believes he’s a more mature hitter.
“I feel like I have a game plan for every pitcher and every count I’m in,” Smith said. “My mentality is that I have to get the job done.”
If Marist is going to meet expectations, it’s imperative Smith displays his vast array of ability. As a sophomore, he hit .261 with two doubles, two triples, two homers and 15 RBIs.
He committed just six errors.
During crunch time,
however, Smith has had a knack of rising to the occasion. He hit both home runs during the 2019 postseason.
He expects more of those moments this season.
“I feel like I have more to prove and more to show,” he said. “I’m going to go all out and have fun and leave it all on the field. I’ll put on a show any way I can. I plan on enjoying every moment.”
Sefcik has noticed a more disciplined approach at the
plate from Smith in practice.
He has been patient and willing to drive the ball to the opposite field.
“He’s been doing a nice job of going to right-center field instead of trying to pull the ball,” Sefcik said. “He looks really good.”
The expectations of committing to Louisville at such an early age could have been daunting. Smith said he never felt pressure to live up to the commitment.
“I just wanted to show that I could play for Marist and produce for Marist,” he said. “I think there’s been one time where after I struck out an opposing fan yelled something about me being a Louisville recruit. That’s never phased me.”
Smith credited Sefcik, an Andrew graduate who played in the major leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies, for keeping his approach simple and the game fun.
“He makes sure that you appreciate playing the game,” Smith said. “Enjoy the time you have with your teammates. He not only wants to help improve your baseball skills, but he wants to make you better as a person than you were yesterday.”