Red Sox purchase contract of Gateway pitcher

The Gateway Grizzlies have announced the contract of right-handed pitcher Dakota Smith has been purchased by the Boston Red Sox.

Smith was in the midst of his second season in a Gateway uniform. He joined the Grizzlies in 2015 after completing his college baseball career at the University of Kansas.

The 23-year-old is the second member of the 2016 Grizzlies to sign with a Major League organization. He becomes the 39th player in franchise history signed into affiliated baseball and the 20th since manager Phil Warren took over in 2007.

“Dakota has swing-and-miss type of stuff while he’s still young and relatively new to pitching,” said Warren, who also noted that Smith’s eight walks allowed in 40 innings this season is a big reason for his success.

Primarily an outfielder in college with the Jayhawks, Smith made a complete transition to the mound after signing with the Grizzlies in 2015. After a solid rookie season, he took big strides in 2016. Smith leaves Gateway with a 2-1 record and a 2.25 ERA this season.

“He’s a hard worker and the sky is the limit for Dakota,” Warren said. “We wish him the best of luck moving forward.”

Smith put together two of the most memorable outing by Gateway pitchers so far this season. On June 11 against the Normal CornBelters, he started the game and went seven innings while striking out 11 batters and allowing just one run.

In a June 17 game against the Florence Freedom, Smith came out of the bullpen to retire all 13 batters he faced while propelling the Grizzlies to a hard-fought victory.

Smith will to report to the Lowell Spinners, the Class-A Short Season affiliate of the Red Sox.

This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Red Sox purchase contract of Gateway pitcher."