Unchosen in the Major League draft, Smith was selected in the first round of the independentFrontier League's draft by the Lake Erie Crushers.[2] Smith played in 1 game for the team, posting a 36.00 ERA after allowing 4 runs in just an inning of work.
On January 3, 2013, Smith signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization, but did not play that year due to a stress fracture in his forearm.[3] In 2014, he was assigned to their Class-A affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs. He was later promoted to the Advanced-ATampa Yankees, and in 32 total relief appearances, posted a 1–2 record, 2.98 ERA, and 49 strikeouts in 511⁄3 innings.[1] Smith began the 2015 season with Tampa, and in May earned a promotion to the Double-ATrenton Thunder. At the end of May he was sent back to Tampa, and on July 26, Smith was released by the Yankees organization.[1]
Toronto Blue Jays
On August 1, 2015, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and played with the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays and Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Smith made 31 total relief appearances in 2015, and pitched to a 4–2 record, 2.05 ERA, and 57 strikeouts in 522⁄3 innings.[1] In the offseason, he played for the Gigantes de Carolina of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente.[1] Smith was assigned to New Hampshire to open the 2016 minor league season, and earned a late-season promotion to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons.[4] He recorded a stellar campaign, making 47 appearances and posting a 1–3 record, 1.93 ERA, 76 strikeouts, and 15 saves in 602⁄3 innings.[1]
Smith was called up by the Blue Jays for the first time on September 27, 2016;[5] however, he didn't make an appearance for the team. After Jason Grilli was designated for assignment on June 27, 2017, Smith was recalled by the Blue Jays.[6] On August 12, Smith was designated for assignment.[7] On November 7, 2017, Smith elected free agency.[8]
Washington Nationals
On December 21, 2017, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[9] He was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, where he posted a 4–5 record and 3.93 ERA in 49 appearances. Smith elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2018.[10]
Detroit Tigers
On December 13, 2018, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.[11] Early in spring training, Smith suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, which required Tommy John surgery.[12] Smith was released by the Tigers on March 5, 2019, after the season ending injury.[13] Smith re-signed with the Tigers on a minor league deal on February 7, 2020. Smith did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] He was released by the Tigers organization on July 3, 2020.
On June 27, 2021, Smith announced his retirement from professional baseball via Twitter.[15]
