Well, safe to say we didn’t expect to see this today:
First, I would like to thank Vanderbilt University and baseball program. However with saying that, I have decided to decommit and further my athletic career and academics at NorthWest Florida State!Thanks to family and friends for supporting me! #GoRaiders pic.twitter.com/A3rXyunIGe
— Peyton (@jpsbaseball06) July 24, 2021
For those wondering “huwah?!?!?!,” the reason a baseball player would choose to go to a Junior College over a 4 year college—even the best program in the nation—is you can re-enter the draft the following year, rather than having to wait until you are draft eligible again (normally after your junior season). This is not something that Corbs teams have traditionally had to deal with, but it does happen to other programs.
Here’s what I wrote about him in the 2021 Draft Commit Primer:
RHP James Peyton Smith
Here’s what Perfect Game has to say about him:
James Peyton Smith is a 2021 RHP/1B with a 6-4 215 lb. frame from Springfield, TN who attends East Robertson. Outstanding young pitcher’s body with long limbs, good present strength and plenty of physical projection remaining. Very fast arm from an extended 3/4’s arm slot, has energy at release but repeats his mechanics well and shows athleticism in his delivery. Consistent mid-90’s fastball, ball explodes out of his hand, mostly straight with occasional sink down in the zone but explodes on hitters at the plate, velocity plays up due to his throwing his secondary pitches for strikes. Threw both a slider and curveball but slider is the much better present pitch, maintains slot and tunnels the pitch well. Flashed quality deception to his change up with swing and miss potential in the future. Impressive combination of velocity, secondary pitches and ability to throw strikes. Very good student, verbal commitment to Vanderbilt. Selected to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Range: Late Round flier to Undrafted.
Prediction: Not chosen on Day 2, but possibly chosen in the later rounds.
Chance He Signs With The Team Who Drafts Him: 5%.
Via con dios, James Peyton Smith. I will now erase your name from my memory.