Toronto Blue Jays Snag Hidden Valley’s 18-Year-Old Phenom

Gavin Smith, a Hidden Valley native and recent Valley Christian High School graduate, has been drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. The 18-year-old shortstop has captured the attention of Major League Baseball scouts and is poised to sign with the team next week upon returning from Alberta, Canada.

Smith, who grew up in Hidden Valley and attended Legacy Traditional School, made history as the first player from Valley Christian Trojans to be drafted into the MLB. His parents, Nathan and Christa Smith, live near Maricopa, where Gavin’s baseball journey first took off.

Several scouts observed Smith’s performance closely while he played for the Trojans in Chandler. “They don’t take too many high school students; they prefer college players,” said Nathan Smith. Despite this, Gavin maintained a consistent presence of about seven scouts at each game.

Recently, Smith had a short stint with the Edmonton Riverhawks in Alberta, which caught the Blue Jays’ attention. Due to his age, he will need to prove himself in the minors before moving up to the major league team. His impressive 92 mph throws make him an attractive prospect.

Smith is expected to gain more experience at the Blue Jays’ Single A farm club in Dunedin, Florida. He has previously played for scout teams of the Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. In Edmonton, Gavin experienced playing before large crowds of 6,000 to 9,000 people, which Nathan Smith believes prepared him for the future.

Gavin’s baseball passion was ignited in Maricopa club ball, where Geno Chavez first noticed him at age 10. Chavez later coached him for the Ahwatukee Devils, noting Gavin’s exceptional athleticism and defensive skills. “We’re really excited for him,” said Chavez, adding that Gavin’s defense sets him apart from his peers in Arizona.

The Chavez family remains close to Gavin, with Geno and Valerie’s son, Ethan, being his best friend. Chavez remarked on Gavin’s dedication to the game, saying, “He’d stay there and do reps until the lights were turned off.”

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