Consistency is key for Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Riley Smith each time he toes the rubber. His calm demeanor and reliable mechanics helped his meteoric rise up the Diamondbacks’ minor league system and eventual MLB debut in 2020.
But Smith’s first big league appearance with the Diamondbacks on Aug. 26 against the Colorado Rockies didn’t go as planned. He faced the heart of the Rockies’ vaunted lineup and gave up a grand slam to four-time All-Star Charlie Blackmon.
Despite the rough introduction to the majors, Smith regained his composure with five straight outs over two innings. The outing could have gone better in Smith’s mind, but it was a sign of things to come as he improved with each appearance.