Pavin Smith Bio
Pavin Joe Smith (born February 6, 1996) is an American professional baseball first baseman and right fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers before being selected by the Diamondbacks in the 2017 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2020. A left-handed hitter, Smith has built his career on a patient approach at the plate and the ability to play both corner infield and outfield positions.
Early Life and Background
Pavin Joe Smith was born on February 6, 1996, in Jupiter, Florida. He grew up in a sports-oriented family in Palm Beach Gardens, where he attended Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. Smith’s father is a sports agent who once represented professional golfer Corey Pavin, and Smith received his distinctive first name in honor of that client. The connection to baseball came early, and Smith became a standout two-way player for his high school team, serving as both a first baseman and a pitcher.
As a high school pitcher, Smith posted a 5–0 win–loss record with a 0.66 earned run average and 54 strikeouts across 32 innings. In 2008, he represented Jupiter, Florida, in the Babe Ruth League’s Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series, where his two home runs helped his team defeat Mexico 5–4 in the championship game. The Colorado Rockies selected Smith in the 32nd round of the 2014 MLB draft, but he opted to continue his baseball development in college rather than sign a professional contract.
Path to Baseball
Smith enrolled at the University of Virginia to play college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers. His freshman season in 2015 was cut short by an ulnar collateral ligament injury in his elbow that prevented him from pitching, but he still managed to deliver the game-winning hit in the second game of the 2015 College World Series against Vanderbilt. After Virginia won the College World Series that year, Smith underwent Tommy John surgery and returned to action in 2016, hitting eight home runs as a sophomore.
Following the 2016 season, Smith played collegiate summer baseball for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and earned all-star recognition. In his junior year at Virginia in 2017, he batted .342 with 13 home runs and 12 strikeouts, cementing his status as a top professional prospect. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Smith with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft, and he signed with a $5 million signing bonus.
Pavin Smith Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Smith made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops of the Low-A Northwest League in 2017 and posted a .318 batting average with 27 runs batted in over 51 games, earning postseason All-Star honors. He advanced to the Visalia Rawhide of the High-A California League in 2018, where he played 120 games and hit .255 with 11 home runs and 54 runs batted in, and he also participated in the Arizona Fall League after that season.
In 2019, Smith spent the full year with the Jackson Generals of the Double-A Southern League. Across 123 games, he slashed .291/.370/.466 with 12 home runs and 67 runs batted in, proving he was ready for the next level.
Arizona Diamondbacks Debut (2020–2021)
On September 10, 2020, the Diamondbacks selected Smith’s contract to the 40-man roster, and he made his major league debut two days later against the Seattle Mariners, recording his first hit off Yoshihisa Hirano. On September 25, 2020, Smith hit his first major league home run off A. J. Ramos of the Colorado Rockies. In 2021, he played 145 games and hit .267/.328/.404 with career highs of 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in.
Major League Development (2022–2024)
Smith made 75 appearances for Arizona in 2022, hitting .220/.300/.367 with nine home runs and 33 runs batted in. He was optioned to the Triple-A Reno Aces to begin the 2023 season, returning to the Diamondbacks on April 9 after Kyle Lewis was placed on the injured list. In 69 games that year, he hit .188/.317/.325 with seven home runs and 30 runs batted in. Smith was again optioned to Triple-A Reno to open 2024, and he later hit three home runs against the Houston Astros on September 8.
Current Diamondbacks Era (2025–Present)
Smith made 87 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2025, batting .258/.362/.434 with eight home runs, 28 runs batted in, and two stolen bases. On August 29, 2025, he was placed on the injured list with a strained left quadricep and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 5, ending his season. The 2026 campaign brought another setback, as the Diamondbacks placed Smith on the injured list on March 30 due to left elbow inflammation. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 14 and underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from the elbow before being activated on June 1.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s first major league hit and first major league home run both came in his rookie September call-up in 2020, setting the tone for his MLB career. His game-winning hit for Virginia in the 2015 College World Series remains one of the most memorable moments of his amateur career, and his three-home-run game against the Astros in September 2024 stands out as a signature big-league performance.
Pavin Smith Personal Life
Family Background and Personal Life
Smith is married to Amanda Cheney, a former University of Florida gymnast, and the couple has one daughter. As a Christmas present in 2017, Smith paid off his parents’ mortgage shortly after signing his first professional contract.
2025 Season Performance
Smith’s 2025 season was a steady contribution cut short by injury. Across 87 appearances for the Diamondbacks, he posted a .258 batting average, .362 on-base percentage, and .434 slugging percentage, adding eight home runs, 28 runs batted in, and two stolen bases. His strong plate discipline and on-base skills were on full display as he served as a reliable corner bat in Arizona’s lineup.
The campaign ended abruptly on August 29, when Smith was placed on the injured list with a strained left quadricep, and the September 5 transfer to the 60-day injured list officially ended his season. Looking ahead, Smith remains under contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and is expected to compete for a role at first base and in right field once he returns to full health.
