Rob Smith made good catch at Beloit, saw 4 pro seasons

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Rob Smith 1990 Beloit Brewers card

Beloit outfielder Rob Smith made what his manager called the play of the game in this August 1990 contest, The South Bend Tribune wrote.

With the bases loaded, Smith raced toward a liner and made the running catch, The Tribune wrote.

"I kind of anticipated it from the beginning," Smith told The Tribune afterward. "I know (the batter) swings the bat well and they needed something hit to the outfield. ... I just got a good jump on the ball."

Smith made that catch in his fourth season as a pro. It also proved his last. He topped out at single-A.

Smith's career began in 1987, taken by the Brewers in the 11th round of the draft out of Washington State University.

Smith earned third-team All-American honors at Washington State. 

He started with the Brewers at rookie Helena and single-A Beloit. He saw 70 games in all and hit .281. 

Smith moved to single-A Stockton for 1988 and returned there for 1989. He hit .233 his first year there and .251 his second. In June 1989, he doubled in two runs.

For 1990, he arrived back at Beloit. He got into 96 games and hit .270 to end his career.

Rob Smith 1990 Beloit Brewers card

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,341
Made the Majors:1,400-32.3%-X
Never Made Majors:2,941-67.7%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:569
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

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