SMITH SETS A LOFTY STANDARD AT UCSD

Senior twice earned all-Big West honors, along with respect

Jalen Smith is coming to the conclusion of his college career and he would like nothing more than to help others realize similar dreams and adventures.

Smith is a senior on the UC San Diego baseball team who already has his future mapped out when his playing days are over.

He wants to be a high school counselor.

“I feel like college has really developed me as a man,” Smith said, “so I feel like getting kids into college would be a pretty cool thing to be passionate about.

“Having the ability to get them to college would be awesome.”

Smith’s inspiration came at least in part from his father, a high school teacher who came to counsel teens sidetracked in their education.

From his father, Smith also learned this life lesson: “Be friendly to everybody. Just try to make somebody’s day.”

Smith carried that mindset into the UCSD clubhouse when he transferred in from UC Davis before the 2022 season, almost immediately commanding the room.

“I got that sense midway through the season,” UCSD coach Eric Newman said. “There isn’t a guy in our clubhouse who is more respected. If he says something to the group, that’s what it is . ...

“He carries himself the right way. He’s hard-nosed, open to coaching, works hard in the classroom and on the field and has really grown into a leadership role for us.”

The 6-foot Bakersfield native arrived with three years of Division I experience in the tough Big West Conference.

Virtually all of his Tritons teammates had one year in Division I — if that — as the program in 2021 began the four-year transition from Division II.

“Having that experience pushed me forward to be a leader on the team that other players could look to,” said Smith, who backed it up by batting .305 with seven homers and 34 RBIs. That makes him UCSD’s top returning run producer.

Smith earned all-Big West honors for the second straight season while playing the left side of the infield for the Tritons. Newman said Smith is most

needed in center field this season. His versatility adds value now and potentially down the road.

“I tell scouts when they come see us that they’ve got to get Jalen Smith,” Newman said. “He’s everything you want in a guy in your organization.

“I don’t know if he will play in the big leagues, but if you want an organizational guy that is about the right stuff, then this is your guy.

“And he’s got a skill set. He can run. He can hit. He can hit for power. He’s versatile on the field. He’s got value, for sure.”

Smith is eager to play at the next level, whether that means the minor leagues or perhaps even something such as semipro ball in Europe.

Anything to enrich his life experience.

Smith anticipates going to graduate school once his baseball career has played out. What he has learned being involved in athletics should benefit his career as a counselor.

“On a team, you have different personalities and you’ve got to be able to know how to talk to somebody based on their personality,” Smith said. “Knowing that, and how kids are all different, helps understand the options to talk to a kid to get through to them.”

Smith said he first considered becoming a teacher, but he was drawn to the oneon-one aspect of counseling.

It was mentioned to Smith how for a young person looking to find their way, a counselor can be lifechanging.

“Whenever I get the opportunity to be a high school counselor,” Smith said, “I hope someone will say that about me.”

2023 outlook

UCSD was picked for eighth place in a preseason Big West coaches poll.

“That’s where we finished last year,” Newman said. “We’re going to have to go earn it (to finish higher). ... I would be disappointed if we finished in that spot. It would mean we either had a rash of injuries like last year that we just couldn’t overcome, or we just didn’t perform as well as I thought we were capable.”

The Tritons (24-32 overall, 13-17 Big West in 2022) were decimated by injuries to the pitching staff a year ago. They are healthy on the mound this season and encouraged by the talent and depth.

It will be tested immediately.

UCSD begins the season this weekend at the MLB Desert Invitational in Phoenix, opening up with Friday’s game against Grand Canyon televised by MLB Network.

The Tritons’ other three games at the invitational are against nationally prominent programs — Michigan, Tennessee and Arizona.

“It’s going to be a great challenge for us,” Newman said. “We get an opportunity to introduce our program to college baseball on a pretty big scale.”

UCSD’s starting rotation for the four games will be sophomore LHP Zack Ernisse (4-3, 6.58 ERA, 45 K in 531⁄3 IP), sophomore RHP

Ryan Forcucci (2-4, 4.19 ERA, 53 K in 531⁄3 IP), senior RHP Michael Mitchell, who missed last season following Tommy John surgery and freshman RHP Anthony Eyanson.

Mitchell was projected to be the team’s Friday night starter last year before the injury and will be eased back into things.

Junior LHP Ryan Rissas (2-1, 3.68 ERA, 30 K in 22 IP) led the team with 28 appearances in ’22. He could end up in the rotation at some point, but will be leaned on in a variety of roles — like closer — due to his versatility.

A deep bullpen is led by senior LHP Izaak Martinez (3-2, 3.09 ERA, 47 K in 432⁄3 IP).

The Tritons return most of their starters in the field, led by Smith and senior INFs Michael Fuhrman (.266, 6 HR, 27 RBIs) and

Crew Robinson (.266-4-15), along with junior SS Noah Sudyka (.254-6-23), sophomore C Emiliano Gonzalez (.312-1-18) and sophomore OF Matt Halbach (.270-425).

Newman is eager to see 6foot-5 freshman 1B Brandon Larson.

“He’s like Paul Bunyan out there,” Newman said. “He is one of the better freshman hitters we’ve ever had here.”

UCSD is in the third year of a four-year transition period in Division I that precludes the Tritons from being eligible for postseason play until 2024.