Burch Smith: Can the Injury-Prone Pitcher Succeed with the Tigers?
- Detroit Tigers fans are hoping for a comeback story, and veteran pitcher Burch Smith is looking to write one.
- Drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2011, he debuted in the majors in 2013.
- His most recent attempt to revive his career took him to the KBO League in Korea, where he signed with the Hanwha Eagles in December 2022.
Detroit Tigers fans are hoping for a comeback story, and veteran pitcher Burch Smith is looking to write one. After a winding career path that included stints in multiple MLB organizations, as well as time in Japan and Korea, the 36-year-old has signed a minor league contract with the Tigers, with a chance to prove he can still compete at the highest level.
Smith’s journey has been anything but smooth. Drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2011, he debuted in the majors in 2013. He’s since worn the uniforms of the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Miami Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles. But a persistent string of injuries has repeatedly derailed his progress. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, and has battled issues with his abdomen, wrist, groin, and ribs in subsequent years.
His most recent attempt to revive his career took him to the KBO League in Korea, where he signed with the Hanwha Eagles in December 2022. Unfortunately, that experiment ended quickly and disastrously. Smith pitched only ⅔ of an inning in a single game, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks, before being sidelined with a shoulder injury. The performance was widely criticized by Korean fans, some of whom directed harsh messages at Smith on social media, prompting a frustrated response from the pitcher himself.
Following his brief and unsuccessful stint in Korea, Smith spent the 2024 season with the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles before playing for a minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025, where he struggled, posting a 7.08 ERA in 19 games. A strong performance in the Dominican Winter League, however, where he recorded 20 strikeouts in 15⅓ innings, earned him another opportunity with the Tigers.
The Tigers already have a connection to Smith through manager Chris Fetter, whom Smith previously worked with. This reunion could prove beneficial as Smith attempts to navigate spring training and earn a spot on the major league roster. If he makes the team, Smith is in line for a guaranteed $1.5 million salary, a significant sum for a player with his injury history and recent performance.
The Tigers also have Klose Ko Woo-seok, another player with KBO League experience, on their roster. However, the two pitchers’ situations differ significantly. Smith is competing for a roster spot, while Ko Woo-seok is expected to contribute immediately. Smith faces an uphill battle to prove his health and effectiveness.
Smith’s career is a cautionary tale about the impact of injuries on a player’s potential. While he has shown flashes of talent throughout his career – his MLB stats include a 9-12 record, 5.79 ERA, and 230 strikeouts – he has never been able to consistently stay on the mound. His ability to overcome his injury woes will be the key to his success with the Tigers.
The question now is whether Smith can finally put his injury troubles behind him and rediscover the form that once made him a promising prospect. The Tigers are taking a chance on a veteran pitcher with a lot to prove, and Smith is determined to make the most of this opportunity. His performance in spring training will be closely watched, as he attempts to defy the odds and secure a spot on the Tigers’ roster for the season.