Dan Smith

Former MLB Pitcher | Watco CEO | Kinley, Pittsburg State, Triple Jump '27 | Kam, Girard High School, RHP '27 @kam_smith_15

[Dan Smith @_DanSmith43]

Very proud of you. Now the real work begins.

[Kam Smith @kam_smith_15]

Proud to announce my commitment to the University of Arkansas. Excited to be a Razorback. Woo Pig!! 🐗 @RazorbackBSB

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

2026 Sports in Kansas 3A Baseball Pitcher of the Year

Kam Smith, Girard, Jr.

For the second consecutive season, Girard junior Kam Smith has been selected as the Sports in Kansas Class 3A Pitcher of the Year after one of the most dominant pitching performances in the state and a historic championship run for the Trojans.

The Arkansas commit was nearly untouchable throughout the spring, posting an incredible 0.33 ERA over 64.1 innings while compiling an 8-1 record. Smith allowed just three earned runs all season, struck out 111 batters and limited opponents to a microscopic .105 batting average. His 0.528 WHIP further illustrated just how difficult it was for opposing hitters to generate any offense against him.

When the season reached its biggest stage, Smith delivered his best performances. He earned a rare two victories at the Class 3A State Tournament, helping Girard capture the first baseball state championship in school history. Under first-year head coach Bob Fornelli, the Trojans completed a memorable title run with Smith leading the way as the unquestioned ace.

A low-90s right-hander with elite command and power stuff, Smith has established himself as one of the premier pitching prospects in the country. His 2026 season earned him a third consecutive Sports in Kansas All-State selection and a repeat honor as the Class 3A Pitcher of the Year. And he has a full season left.

Baseball success runs deep in the Smith family. His father, Dan Smith Jr., was the 1993 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year at Girard (7th round pick in 1993 out of HS) before pitching multiple seasons in Major League Baseball. Kam has continued that tradition while building an impressive legacy of his own at Girard.

Still only a junior, Smith enters next season as one of the top returning players in Kansas regardless of classification. He will also be a major contender for the Sports in Kansas All-Classes Pitcher of the Year award, which will be announced alongside the All-Classes Top 9 Team following the release of all classification award winners.

After leading Girard to its first state championship and putting together one of the most dominant statistical seasons in Kansas baseball, Smith is the clear choice as the 2026 Sports in Kansas Class 3A Pitcher of the Year. #sportsinkansas

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

2026 Sports in Kansas 3A All-State ⚾️ #sportsinkansas

[Kam Smith @kam_smith_15]

Thank you @premierpitching
Still a long way to go, appreciate all you do for me.
@RazorbackBSB @FlexProGrip @FrontlineMrod @TheCanesBB

[Ryan Bunnell @ryanbunnellTV]

.@GirardTrojans head baseball coach Bob Fornelli on Trojans ace Kam Smith:

"I feel like when he throws, if we can score 2 runs we're going to win a baseball game..."

Smith finished the 2026 campaign with 112 strikeouts in 64.1 innings pitched with a stellar 0.32 ERA.

FULL STORY: https://t.co/0eHmopaRVe

[Four States Sports Report @KODESports]

After helping guide the @GirardTrojans to the program's first-ever baseball state championship, Kam Smith (@kam_smith_15) is our Athlete of the Week! ⚾️

Hear from the @RazorbackBSB commit and head coach Bob Fornelli below. ⬇️

https://t.co/iJWQh6kSTn

[Ryan Bunnell @ryanbunnellTV]

"Every kid dreams of being in that position..."

@GirardTrojans ace and @RazorbackBSB commit Kam Smith (@kam_smith_15) delivered a complete-game shutout on high school baseball's biggest stage to help the Trojans lift the state championship trophy. 🏆

See the full "Athlete of the Week" piece on Smith here: https://t.co/0eHmopak5G

[NoleHottyRilla @NoleHotty]

@kodyaaron12 is always speaking about how good of a human and pitcher @RazorbackBSB is getting in @kam_smith_15 Keep working hard Kam. 💪🏻⚾️

[Prep Baseball Kansas @PrepBaseballKS]

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗦𝗔𝗔 𝟯𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 🏆

Congratulations to the Girard Trojans on winning the 2026 3A State Championship!

[Ryan Blank @rmblank4]

"I wanted to go the distance for the guys."

On the biggest stage, Girard's ace not only delivered, but DOMINATED to help the Trojans win their first state title.

Smith struck out 10 batters and allowed only three hits in a complete-game shutout effort.

@GirardTrojans | @kam_smith_15

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

History made in Girard.

The Trojans captured the first state baseball championship in program history Friday with a dominant 8-0 victory over Silver Lake in the 3A state title game at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan.

Junior Arkansas commit Kam Smith once again showed why he is regarded as one of the top pitchers in Kansas and one of the premier prospects in the country. Last season’s Sports in Kansas 3A Pitcher of the Year tossed a complete-game shutout with 10 strikeouts, allowing just three hits over seven innings in the championship game.

Smith finished the season with a remarkable 8-1 record and a 0.326 ERA over 64.1 innings. He struck out 112 batters while allowing just 23 hits and three earned runs all season long. Opponents hit only .105 against him as he helped lead Girard to a 24-5 season and a state championship.

Girard wasted no time taking control with a five-run first inning. Aiden Ashbacher and Robbie Bruning each delivered RBI singles before Ben Cullen broke the game open with a three-run triple.

Cullen finished with three RBI while both he and Jaxton Smith collected two hits. Sophomore Bryor Schultz also put together a tremendous season for the Trojans, hitting .455 with 45 hits and 14 doubles on the year. Girard was aggressive throughout the championship game as Ashbacher, Bruning, Jaxton Smith and Briggs Buckingham each stole multiple bases in a 10-steal performance.

Even more impressive, Girard made this championship run with just one senior starter in the lineup.

What a first season for legendary head coach Bob Fornelli. The longtime collegiate coaching icon previously led both Fort Hays State and Emporia State to NCAA Division II World Series runner-up finishes before retiring from Pittsburg State last year. Now, in year one at Girard, he adds a Kansas high school state championship to his remarkable career.

A historic moment for Girard baseball. #sportsinkansas

[Ryan Bunnell @ryanbunnellTV]

🚨 STATE CHAMPIONS 🚨

For the first time in program history, the @GirardTrojans sit alone at the top of class 3A, taking down Silver Lake 8-0 for a state title! 🏆

@RazorbackBSB commit Kam Smith tallied 10 strikeouts in a complete-game performance, allowing only 3 hits. 👏

More on @KODESports at 10.

[Ryan Bunnell @ryanbunnellTV]

"It doesn't even feel real right now..."

@RazorbackBSB commit and @GirardTrojans pitcher Kam Smith touches on the emotions of capturing the Kansas Class 3A State Championship in an 8-0 win over Silver Lake. 🏆

Smith notched 10 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout. 🔥

📹: @SydneyClark___

[Ryan Bunnell @ryanbunnellTV]

"...I just wanted to put it all on for Girard..."

@GirardTrojans ace Kam Smith gives praise to the Girard community after the Trojans captured the Class 3A Baseball State Championship for the first time in program history. 🏆

📹: @SydneyClark___

[Ryan Bunnell @ryanbunnellTV]

One year after leading @GorillasBSB to a program-best (at the time) 42 wins in 2025, Bob Fornelli has led @GirardTrojans baseball to the program's first-ever 3A state championship. 🏆

Hear from the local legend himself below after the Trojans blanked Silver Lake 8-0 in the title game. 👇

📹: @SydneyClark___

[Prep Baseball Kansas @PrepBaseballKS]

‘27 | RHP | Kam Smith (Girard; @RazorbackBSB)

Turned in yet another masterful performance, racking up 10 strikeouts in a CG shutout effort to give the Trojans their first title in school history.

FB: 87-90
SL: 75-79

@ShooterHunt

[Kansas Sports Central @KSSCentral]

TROJANS ARE STATE CHAMPS 🏆⚾

Girard takes down Silver Lake to win the 3A State Baseball Championship.

Powered by: Leadoff Baseball Gear, check out full-sized portable pitching mounds made here in Kansas.

[Prep Baseball Kansas @PrepBaseballKS]

Final from Manhattan:

Silver Lake 0, Girard 8

The Girard Trojans are the 2026 Kansas 3A State Champions ‼️

[Ryan Blank @rmblank4]

"It's just the same mindset."

Girard ace and @RazorbackBSB commit Kam Smith (@kam_smith_15) is ready to go on the mound in Friday's state title game.

@GirardTrojans

[Sports in Kansas @sportsinkansas]

Headed to the 3A state championship game in a thriller that came down to the final outs.

Girard survived a tense finish Wednesday as Burlington had runners on second and third in the final inning before the Trojans recorded the last out on a ground ball to seal a 2-1 victory and punch their ticket to the state title game.

Bryor Schultz was outstanding on the mound while Robbie Bruning and Aiden Ashbacher each delivered RBI hits for Girard. Burlington battled until the very end and nearly tied or took the lead in the closing moments before Girard closed the door.

Now the Trojans will turn their attention to Friday’s state championship showdown with Silver Lake.

Even bigger for Girard, junior Arkansas commit Kam Smith, last season’s Sports in Kansas 3A Pitcher of the Year, will be available for the title game after throwing Monday in the quarterfinals.

State championship bound. #sportsinkansas

[Blaine Peterson @BPonbase]

Kam Smith | RHP | 2027 | KS
• Girard HS

CF video 5-25-26 State Playoff Game

FB: 87-92 | 2665 RPM
SL: 76-79 | 2540 RPM

4-year: @RazorbackBSB

@PG_Scouting | @kam_smith_15