Completed Event: Baseball versus No. 11 seed Kansas State on May 19, 2026 , Loss , 5, to, 9
Final Score
Baseball
5
vs No. 11 seed Kansas State
9
The University of Utah Athletics
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Jersey Number 26
Derek Smith
- Position:
- C
- B/T:
- R/R
- Class:
- Senior
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-3 / 215
- Hometown:
- Scottsdale, Ariz.
- High School:
- Horizon HS
- Prev School:
- College of Southern Nevada
- Major:
- Communication
2026 – Senior
2025 – Junior
Prior to Utah
Prior to College
Personal
Smith on the U
“I chose the University of Utah because I believe in our coaching staff in order to help develop the players on this team and give this team everything it needs in order to win. I believe something special will happen within this program.”
- Big 12 Spring All-Academic Team
- Played in 33 games with 25 starts during his second season at Utah, contributing 14 hits with two doubles, four home runs, nine walks, 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
- Of his 14 hits, six went for extra bases.
- Season-long on-base streak was nine games, while finishing the year on a seven-game streak as well.
- Had a 2-for-4 performance on Senior Day vs. Baylor (May 16) with a two-run homer, scoring twice in the game.
- Was in the bullpen before being called upon to pinch hit in the seventh inning vs. Kansas State (March 28) … had his teammates help him NASCAR pit crew style to quickly get his catcher’s gear off during a K-State pitching change, before stepping up and clubbing a 479-foot home run to tie the game … it was the longest home run hit by any Utah or opposing player in the inaugural season of America First Ballpark.
- Came up again in the eighth inning of that K-State game and smashed a three-run homer that put Utah ahead and proved to be the difference in the game.
- Finished that game 2-for-2 with a season-best four RBIs.
- Hit the first home run in America First Ballpark history, going yard in the seventh inning vs. Grand Canyon (March 6).
2025 – Junior
- Played in 40 games with 37 starts, hitting .202 with seven doubles, one triple, four homers, 19 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
- Twenty-eight of his starts came behind the plate; nine were at DH.
- Five multi-hit games and three multi-RBI performances during his first season at Utah.
- Belted a pair of home runs in the series-opening win vs. Oklahoma State (March 21), finishing with six RBIs.
- Had a two-run double and later scored in a win at Arizona (May 9).
- Hit a three-run homer in the game at UC San Diego (Feb. 23).
Prior to Utah
- Played the 2024 season at Southern Nevada and spent ’23 at Oklahoma State.
- Hit .269 in 37 games played (32 starts) during his 2024 season with the Coyotes, contributing seven doubles, two triples, eight homers and 23 RBI.
- Helped Southern Nevada to a 53-12 record and a fifth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA World Series.
Prior to College
- Graduated from Horizon High School, where Smith was a four-year varsity starter and .305 career hitter.
- Won a 5A State Championship, earning All-State, All-District and All-Region.
- Named Rookie of the Year his freshman season.
- Also played basketball in high school.
Personal
- Son of Brian and Rene.
- Has one sibling, Karly.
- Father played baseball at Toledo.
- Enjoys spending time outside and being with friends and family.
Smith on the U
“I chose the University of Utah because I believe in our coaching staff in order to help develop the players on this team and give this team everything it needs in order to win. I believe something special will happen within this program.”
Tuesday, May 26
Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, April 29
Friday, April 24
