Canaan Smith-Njigba

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #28 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  Track Record: The older brother of 2023 Seattle Seahawks first round pick and former Ohio State football star Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Canaan was a fourth round pick of the Yankees who has seen limited big league time in each of the last two seasons for the Pirates.
  
  Scouting Report: Over the course of Smith-Njigba’s professional career he’s been a productive hitter, hitting .276/.380/.430 with a 14.2% walk rate over 1,972 minor league plate appearances. Smith-Njigba shows fringe-average bat-to-ball skills with above-average approach and a good balance of aggression and patience. Smith-Njigba has sought out to improve his power in recent seasons and has seen a steady climb in his isolated slugging and exit velocity. Smith-Njigba is a fringe-average outfielder with a fringe-average throwing arm and fringe-average footspeed. His lack of speed or defensive value puts extra pressure on Smith-Njigba’s bat.
  
  The Future: Smith-Njigba is settling into an up-and-down role at the back end of a 40-man, after being designated for assignment by the Pirates. The Mariners will see if he can help as a backup outfielder in 2024.
  Scouting GradesHit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Throw: 45
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #20 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Smith-Njigba has been known for posting high walk rates all the way back to his days as a high school star in Texas when teams mostly pitched around him. The Yankees drafted him in 2017 and traded him along with three others to the Pirates in 2021 in exchange for Jameson Taillon. He made his big league debut in mid-June, but suffered a season-ending fractured right wrist in an outfield collision just three games into his stint in Pittsburgh. His brother, Jaxon, stars at wide receiver for Ohio State and is a potential first-round NFL draft pick in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Smith-Njigba parses balls and strikes as well as any hitter in Pittsburgh's system, walking 15.1% of the time with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022. He pairs that plate discipline with considerable strength-based power, exceeding 90 mph average exit velocity. His natural swing plane, though, is not geared for lift and curbs his in-game power. The good news is Smith-Njigba slashed his groundball rate by roughly 13% in the minors in 2022, but it still clocked in at 52.8%. Defensively, he's likely ticketed for left field because of his fringe-average running ability, throwing arm and range, although he can handle right field in a pinch.
  
  The Future: Smith-Njigba has a chance to reach a platoon-type role in the big leagues. He should vie for opportunities in Pittsburgh's wide-open corner outfield competition in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #28 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Pirates acquired Smith-Njigba via the Yankees in the January 2021 Jameson Taillon trade. He missed six weeks with a thigh injury in 2021, but got on base at a nearly 40% clip when healthy for Double-A Altoona and earned a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis at the end of the season. Pittsburgh added Smith-Njigba to the 40-man roster after the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Smith-Njigba packs a lot of strength onto his sturdy 240-pound frame, leading to impressive exit velocities. His discerning eye allows him to wait for pitches he can punish. He needs to hit the ball in the air more to maximize his bat speed. His groundball rate spiked to 66% in 2021. Smith-Njigba’s body is mature for his age, but he was a star high school quarterback, while his younger brother Jaxon is a star wide receiver at Ohio State. He’s an average runner underway and shows impressive basestealing instincts. Defensively, he’s likely limited to left field as a fringe-average defender and thrower.
  
  The Future: Smith-Njigba’s combination of hitting ability and power potential could be enough to carve out a corner outfield role in the big leagues.
  
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #27 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Smith showed well in his first taste of pro ball after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, then scuffled in 2018 in the college-heavy New York-Penn League. He rebounded in 2019 at low Class A Charleston, where he became one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases. He did not get a chance to play in 2020, but the Pirates still acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smith's greatest asset is he simply hits the ball hard. He averaged an 89.4 mph exit velocity in 2019 and has peaked at 110. He shows strong pitch-recognition skills, handles velocity well and posted an excellent swinging-strike rate of just 9.7%. Despite the success, scouts have mild concerns Smith will be exploited by upper-level pitchers who do better jobs changing speeds and throwing offspeed pitches for strikes. Smith shows average athleticism, a fringy arm and below-average defense in left field. He’s an average runner who steals bases on instincts rather than pure speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because the Yankees did not hold instructional league, Smith missed a full season of development. Now that he's with the Pirates, his defense will come under even more scrutiny unless the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #16 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A two-sport star in high school, Smith was good enough on the diamond that scouts didn't get much chance to evaluate him—that's how often he was pitched around. Nonetheless, the Yankees got enough of a look to spend a fourth-round pick on Smith in 2017 and sign him away from an Arkansas commitment for $497,500. After a rough 2018 in the New York-Penn League, Smith broke out in 2019 with low Class A Charleston. He finished as one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: He doesn't have one standout tool but showed evaluators the potential for at least average hittability and above-average power. His power comes from extreme strength which produced some of the system's highest exit velocities despite an unorthodox swing that allows him to barrel pitches despite stepping in the bucket. He's an average runner with an average arm who fits best in left field.
  
  THE FUTURE: After a strong showing in Charleston, he'll move to high Class A Tampa in 2020 and has the ceiling of an offensive-minded corner bat.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #366 prospect in 2017 draft
  Scouts hoping to get a good look at Canaan Smith this spring didn't always get to see him swing the bat. Smith, also the quarterback for Rockwall-Heath High in Rockwall, Texas, has punished enough opponents with his lefthanded power that teams pitched him very carefully this year. Smith wasn't going to chase pitches out of the zone, so he racked up walks at a furious pace. He finished the year with 57 walks, ninth most in a single season in high school history. When he wasn't getting a free pass, Smith has shown above-average bat speed and power potential. Smith has played catcher, first base and outfield while in high school, but he's more likely to play in the outfield than catcher if he signs coming out of the draft. He's committed to Arkansas.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #20 prospect in 2019
  Smith doesn't do much of anything pretty. He's already filled out and does not cut a sleek figure in the outfield. At the plate, sometimes he'll open up too early in his swing. But Smith squares up pitch after pitch. Even when he steps in the bucket at the plate, his hands work well enough to drive the ball. He catches up to quality fastballs. Smith finished among the South Atlantic League's leaders in most offensive categories. He has above-average raw power, but he's best at hitting for average and getting on base. Smith is a left fielder who likely could also play first base. He's fringe-average defensively and will have to keep hitting to have an major league future.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Smith-Njigba has been known for posting high walk rates all the way back to his days as a high school star in Texas when teams mostly pitched around him. The Yankees drafted him in 2017 and traded him along with three others to the Pirates in 2021 in exchange for Jameson Taillon. He made his big league debut in mid-June, but suffered a season-ending fractured right wrist in an outfield collision just three games into his stint in Pittsburgh. His brother, Jaxon, stars at wide receiver for Ohio State and is a potential first-round NFL draft pick in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Smith-Njigba parses balls and strikes as well as any hitter in Pittsburgh's system, walking 15.1% of the time with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022. He pairs that plate discipline with considerable strength-based power, exceeding 90 mph average exit velocity. His natural swing plane, though, is not geared for lift and curbs his in-game power. The good news is Smith-Njigba slashed his groundball rate by roughly 13% in the minors in 2022, but it still clocked in at 52.8%. Defensively, he's likely ticketed for left field because of his fringe-average running ability, throwing arm and range, although he can handle right field in a pinch.
  
  The Future: Smith-Njigba has a chance to reach a platoon-type role in the big leagues. He should vie for opportunities in Pittsburgh's wide-open corner outfield competition in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Smith-Njigba has been known for posting high walk rates all the way back to his days as a high school star in Texas when teams mostly pitched around him. The Yankees drafted him in 2017 and traded him along with three others to the Pirates in 2021 in exchange for Jameson Taillon. He made his big league debut in mid-June, but suffered a season-ending fractured right wrist in an outfield collision just three games into his stint in Pittsburgh. His brother, Jaxon, stars at wide receiver for Ohio State and is a potential first-round NFL draft pick in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Smith-Njigba parses balls and strikes as well as any hitter in Pittsburgh's system, walking 15.1% of the time with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022. He pairs that plate discipline with considerable strength-based power, exceeding 90 mph average exit velocity. His natural swing plane, though, is not geared for lift and curbs his in-game power. The good news is Smith-Njigba slashed his groundball rate by roughly 13% in the minors in 2022, but it still clocked in at 52.8%. Defensively, he's likely ticketed for left field because of his fringe-average running ability, throwing arm and range, although he can handle right field in a pinch.
  
  The Future: Smith-Njigba has a chance to reach a platoon-type role in the big leagues. He should vie for opportunities in Pittsburgh's wide-open corner outfield competition in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Pirates acquired Smith-Njigba via the Yankees in the January 2021 Jameson Taillon trade. He missed six weeks with a thigh injury in 2021, but got on base at a nearly 40% clip when healthy for Double-A Altoona and earned a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis at the end of the season. Pittsburgh added Smith-Njigba to the 40-man roster after the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Smith-Njigba packs a lot of strength onto his sturdy 240-pound frame, leading to impressive exit velocities. His discerning eye allows him to wait for pitches he can punish. He needs to hit the ball in the air more to maximize his bat speed. His groundball rate spiked to 66% in 2021. Smith-Njigba’s body is mature for his age, but he was a star high school quarterback, while his younger brother Jaxon is a star wide receiver at Ohio State. He’s an average runner underway and shows impressive basestealing instincts. Defensively, he’s likely limited to left field as a fringe-average defender and thrower.
  
  The Future: Smith-Njigba’s combination of hitting ability and power potential could be enough to carve out a corner outfield role in the big leagues.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Smith showed well in his first taste of pro ball after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, then scuffled in 2018 in the college-heavy New York-Penn League. He rebounded in 2019 at low Class A Charleston, where he became one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases. He did not get a chance to play in 2020, but the Pirates still acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smith's greatest asset is he simply hits the ball hard. He averaged an 89.4 mph exit velocity in 2019 and has peaked at 110. He shows strong pitch-recognition skills, handles velocity well and posted an excellent swinging-strike rate of just 9.7%. Despite the success, scouts have mild concerns Smith will be exploited by upper-level pitchers who do better jobs changing speeds and throwing offspeed pitches for strikes. Smith shows average athleticism, a fringy arm and below-average defense in left field. He's an average runner who steals bases on instincts rather than pure speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because the Yankees did not hold instructional league, Smith missed a full season of development. Now that he's with the Pirates, his defense will come under even more scrutiny unless the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Smith showed well in his first taste of pro ball after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, then scuffled in 2018 in the college-heavy New York-Penn League. He rebounded in 2019 at low Class A Charleston, where he became one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases. He did not get a chance to play in 2020, but the Pirates still acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smith's greatest asset is he simply hits the ball hard. He averaged an 89.4 mph exit velocity in 2019 and has peaked at 110. He shows strong pitch-recognition skills, handles velocity well and posted an excellent swinging-strike rate of just 9.7%. Despite the success, scouts have mild concerns Smith will be exploited by upper-level pitchers who do better jobs changing speeds and throwing offspeed pitches for strikes. Smith shows average athleticism, a fringy arm and below-average defense in left field. He’s an average runner who steals bases on instincts rather than pure speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because the Yankees did not hold instructional league, Smith missed a full season of development. Now that he's with the Pirates, his defense will come under even more scrutiny unless the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Smith showed well in his first taste of pro ball after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, then scuffled in 2018 in the college-heavy New York-Penn League. He rebounded in 2019 at low Class A Charleston, where he became one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases. He did not get a chance to play in 2020, but the Pirates still acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Smith's greatest asset is he simply hits the ball hard. He averaged an 89.4 mph exit velocity in 2019 and has peaked at 110. He shows strong pitch-recognition skills, handles velocity well and posted an excellent swinging-strike rate of just 9.7%. Despite the success, scouts have mild concerns Smith will be exploited by upper-level pitchers who do better jobs changing speeds and throwing offspeed pitches for strikes. Smith shows average athleticism, a fringy arm and below-average defense in left field. He’s an average runner who steals bases on instincts rather than pure speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Because the Yankees did not hold instructional league, Smith missed a full season of development. Now that he's with the Pirates, his defense will come under even more scrutiny unless the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A two-sport star in high school, Smith was good enough on the diamond that scouts didn’t get much chance to evaluate him—that’s how often he was pitched around. Nonetheless, the Yankees got enough of a look to spend a fourth-round pick on Smith in 2017 and sign him away from an Arkansas commitment for $497,500. After a rough 2018 in the New York-Penn League, Smith broke out in 2019 with low Class A Charleston. He finished as one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: He doesn’t have one standout tool but showed evaluators the potential for at least average hittability and above-average power. His power comes from extreme strength which produced some of the system’s highest exit velocities despite an unorthodox swing that allows him to barrel pitches despite stepping in the bucket. He’s an average runner with an average arm who fits best in left field.
  
  THE FUTURE: After a strong showing in Charleston, he’ll move to high Class A Tampa in 2020 and has the ceiling of an offensive-minded corner bat. BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 50 Risk: High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A two-sport star in high school, Smith was good enough on the diamond that scouts didn't get much chance to evaluate him—that's how often he was pitched around. Nonetheless, the Yankees got enough of a look to spend a fourth-round pick on Smith in 2017 and sign him away from an Arkansas commitment for $497,500. After a rough 2018 in the New York-Penn League, Smith broke out in 2019 with low Class A Charleston. He finished as one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: He doesn't have one standout tool but showed evaluators the potential for at least average hittability and above-average power. His power comes from extreme strength which produced some of the system's highest exit velocities despite an unorthodox swing that allows him to barrel pitches despite stepping in the bucket. He's an average runner with an average arm who fits best in left field.
  
  THE FUTURE: After a strong showing in Charleston, he'll move to high Class A Tampa in 2020 and has the ceiling of an offensive-minded corner bat.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Smith doesn't do much of anything pretty. He's already filled out and does not cut a sleek figure in the outfield. At the plate, sometimes he'll open up too early in his swing. But Smith squares up pitch after pitch. Even when he steps in the bucket at the plate, his hands work well enough to drive the ball. He catches up to quality fastballs. Smith finished among the South Atlantic League's leaders in most offensive categories. He has above-average raw power, but he's best at hitting for average and getting on base. Smith is a left fielder who likely could also play first base. He's fringe-average defensively and will have to keep hitting to have an major league future.