Top 10 Kentucky HS baseball players in Class of 2023
3. Cooper Smith, SS, St. Xavier
While his teammate Starke excelled on the mound, Smith was helping him on the defensive end in the field. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound St. X shortstop is ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the state by both PBR and Perfect Game.
Smith was excellent at the plate for the state-champion Tigers last season. During the year, Smith batted .460 with 63 hits, 56 runs, 28 RBIs, 13 triples, 11 doubles and three home runs. His 13 triples were the most in the KHSAA last season while he finished ranked No. 3 in hits, No. 5 in runs and No. 44 in slugging percentage. This offensive output helped St. Xavier on its state title run as Smith was named third-team all-state by the KHSBCA.
Unlike the majority of this list, Smith will not play his college baseball in Kentucky, rather he will go to Alabama and play for Troy University. With both Smith and Stark returning this season, expect St. X to once again make a run for a state title this spring.
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