ɪn hɪz fˈɜːst sˈiːzən ɪnðə mˈaɪnɚ lˈiːɡz, smˈɪθ plˈeɪd ʃˈɔːɹtstɑːp ɪn fˈɪfti wˈʌn ɡˈeɪmz fɚðə kˈʌbz wˈaɪðvɪl mˈaɪnɚ lˈiːɡ tˈiːm, hˈɪɾɪŋ .tˈuːhˈʌndɹɪd θˈɜːɾi fˈaɪv.
In his first season in the minor leagues, Smith played shortstop in 51 games for the Cubs' Wytheville minor league team, hitting .235.