John "John John" Smith III isn't just hitting baseballs anymore, he's absolutely punishing them, registering exit velocities over 100 MPH in 2026. This dude, who rocked a .322 batting average with 12 dingers for UCF this past senior season, should be on every draft board as a top-tier grab, especially after somehow going completely undrafted in 2025. Yeah, you heard that right, UNDRAFTED. What were scouts watching?
From Junior College Phenom to NCAA Powerhouse
Smith's journey to becoming a legitimate 2026 MLB Draft prospect has been a wild one, starting way back in Apollo Beach, Florida. After tearing it up for Lennard High School, where he hit a ridiculous cumulative .397, he kicked off his college career at Pensacola State College in 2022. As a freshman, he played in all 48 games, slashing .382/.384/.497 with 8 homers and a staggering 18 stolen bases in 20 attempts. That's pure athleticism right there! He followed that up with an equally impressive sophomore year, again playing all 48 games and leading the Pirates with a .382 average, 12 more bombs, and 9 stolen bags. He even spent two summers with the Winter Garden Squeeze, getting that extra game experience. The big test came in his junior year, 2025, when Smith made the leap from NJCAA Division I to NCAA Division I, transferring to the University of South Alabama. Talk about stepping up! He didn't just acclimate, he started all 49 games, splitting time between right field and designated hitter, and led the team in hits. His .314 average, 7 homers, and 111 wRC+ in the tough Sun Belt Conference showed he could hang with the best. So, when the 2025 MLB Draft came and went with his name uncalled, it was a head-scratcher. That summer, he did struggle a bit in the Cape Cod Baseball League, but sometimes you just need to reset. And reset he did.Power, Aggression, and Defensive Versatility
Smith, now a 22-year-old outfielder listed at 6'1" and 200 pounds, carries that mass in his legs and midsection, and you can see it in his swing. At the plate, he stands slightly open, with a bit of a crouch and high hands, wrapping his bat behind his head. He uses a toe tap as a timing mechanism with minimal load and weight transfer. This long-levered swing, combined with his natural strength and torque, allows him to punish baseballs. He's a guy who lifts and pulls the ball, which explains those 100 MPH exit velocities. While he can be aggressive at the plate, chasing pitches down-and-away and expanding the zone, he also shows enough plate coverage to punish mistakes across all four quadrants. His senior year at UCF saw him hit .322, with 13 doubles, 1 triple, and 12 homers, ranking second on the team in batting average, slugging percentage, doubles, and home runs. Plus, he's played all three outfield positions over his four-year collegiate career. He's an outfielder who can play all three spots and clearly hits for power with a consistent bat. Any team looking for a right-handed hitter with serious pop and a chip on his shoulder from last year's snub should have John "John John" Smith III circled in permanent marker. This guy is ready to prove everyone wrong, and his 2026 numbers scream "impact player."This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.