DURHAM, NC – Another young arm with Coastal Plain League (CPL) roots reached the biggest stage, as Shane Smith made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 1.
In December, Smith (picture courtesy of Darren Georgia/Chicago White Sox) was the first player selected in the Rule 5 draft, as the White Sox picked him up. After a solid spring and making Chicago’s Opening Day roster, he earned the start versus Minnesota. And Smith didn’t disappoint, pitching 5 2/3 innings of 2-hit ball with four walks and three strikeouts. He walked the last two batters he faced with two outs in the top of the sixth before he was relieved. Both runners would later score, leaving Smith responsible.
Since his debut, the 6-3, 240-pound righty is 0-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three starts. He’s allowed four runs, earned, on nine hits, walked seven, and struck out 12. After his first two starts, Smith etched his name in the team record books, becoming the first pitcher to throw at least 11 2/3 innings in his first two MLB games and allow no more than four total bases since White Sox pitcher Shovel Hodge in 1920.
An undrafted free agent by Milwaukee in 2022, the Wake Forest product spent time between Single-A and Double-A in his first full season of pro ball. That year, he was 7-4 with a 1.96 ERA across 38 games. He struck out 86 versus walking 21 in 59 2/3 innings. In 2024, Smith started with Double-A Biloxi before being called up to Triple-A Nashville. He made five appearances for the Sounds, finishing 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA.
During the summer of 2020, Smith pitched for the High Point-Thomasville HiToms, where he went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA. In 14 2/3 innings on the bump, he gave up six runs — four earned – on nine hits, walked 13 and struck out 24.
Smith marks the fourth CPL alum to debut in the Bigs in 2025 and 198th overall. He is also the 24th former HiToms player to become a Major Leaguer.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 198 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.
About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; Greenville Yard Gnomes in Greenville, NC, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.