By Adam Rubin
Baseball America
September 24 - October 7, 2007

[Editor's note: Joe Smith pitched for the Rockville Express in 2005.]

Righthander Joe Smith tossed a franchise rookie-record 15 1/2 scoreless innings to begin his Mets career. But by July 27, the Mets determined the sidearmer had hit physical and mental walls. So they sent him to Triple-A New Orleans, where he didn't even pick up a ball for a week to allow himself to recharge.

At the time of his demotion, Smith's fastball had dipped to 86 mph -- down from the low 90s -- and his sinker had lost much of its bite. His 46 appearances at the time of his demotion ranked second among National League rookie relievers. Despite a strong start, Smith had allowed 20 of 41 inherited runners to score while going 2-1, 3.03.

''We're talking about a young kid,'' general manager Omar Minaya said about Smith, the organization's third-round pick from Wright State in 2006. ''He's in uncharted waters as far as physical load.''

The 23-year-old Smith was expected to rejoin the Mets when rosters expanded, though he was again idled for a week in late August because of a second bout of fatigue.

''Everything is coming back like I thought it would,'' Smith said. ''I've got confidence. My fastball is sinking.''

Smith's storybook tale includes being cut his freshman season at Wright State. He had ordinary numbers the next year, when he made the team throwing overhand: 2.75 ERA, .259 opponent's average. A new coaching staff arrived the next year and wanted a sidearm reliever to give the pitching staff a different look. They chose Smith, against his family's will.

''His dad threw a fit, 'What are you, crazy?''' Wright State pitching coach Greg Lovelady said. ''He probably thought I was the worst coach in America.''

Lovelady, trying to sell him on the switch, asked Smith if he had ever seen Chad Bradford pitch. Smith had not, but he went home and used Bradford while playing a video game, which helped sell the idea.

With the new arm slot, Smith gained about 5 mph on his fastball. His stats the next two college seasons: 1.03 ERA, .171 opponent's average, 21 saves.

Courtesy of Baseball America. Copyright 2007.