Dylan Smith, Amsterdam '19, Called Up and Debuts for Detroit Tigers

Courtesy Amsterdam Mohawks

Last Friday the Detroit Tigers announced they were calling up Dylan Smith to the Majors. Two days ago, Smith made his MLB debut against the Chicago White Sox, pitching two scoreless innings in relief.

Smith pitched for the Mohawks in 2019 out of the University of Alabama. He had a 2.36 ERA during the regular season and a 3.54 ERA overall, making 14 total appearances and 3 starts. Going 2-0 with 2 saves, Dylan struck out 41 batters in 28 innings. In the playoffs, he made the start and was the winning pitcher as the Mohawks eliminated the Saugerties Stallions by a score of 6-4 and he made the start in Game 1 of the PGCBL Championship as the Mohawks took that game over the Adirondack Trail Blazers by a score of 9-4 and later clinched the title.

The Detroit Tigers drafted Smith in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft.  The organization used Smith as a starter for the past 3 years. The results were mixed with a side of injuries and a 9-13 record to show for it. Then the 2025 season came and the Tigers decided to move him exclusively to the bullpen. The turnaround was instant. In 20 innings at Double-A with the Erie SeaWolves, Dylan had a 1.80 ERA with 27 strikeouts, holding batters to a .136 average and a 0.80 WHIP.

On May 21st, Smith was promoted to Triple-A for the first time and the Toledo Mud Hens. He threw 2.1 innings. No hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. So, on May 30th the Tigers decided to ride the hot hand and promoted Dylan to the Majors.

Smith becomes the 21st Mohawk to play in the Majors.