MLB DRAFT HISTORY
• Selected in the 10th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres
2022 / AS A SENIOR
• Third Team Academic All-America
• Third Team All-Big Ten
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-District
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (April 11)
• Big Ten Pitcher of the Week (April 11)
• Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient
• Pitched in 10 games, making 10 weekend starts before an injury in late April
• Purdue's first Academic All-America honoree since 2001
• Racked up 79 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings to help Purdue eclipse team records for punchouts & Ks per nine innings
• While averaging 12.40 K/9, broke a Purdue record (minimum 30 IP) that had stood since 1965
• Just the second player in program history to be a multi-year Academic All-District honoree
• Recognized as the team's Pitcher of the Year
• Struck out 13 over eight innings of one-hit ball in April 9 shutout of rival Indiana, posting the highest game score (90) ever at Alexander Field
• His 13 strikeouts matched the third most in a game by a Boilermaker while also being the most since 2010 and the most ever by a Purdue lefty
• His game score of 90 vs. Indiana was the best ever by a Purdue pitcher with at least 12 punchouts
• The gem vs. Indiana made him Purdue's first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week since 2018 and the first starter to win the award since 2017
• Finished the season with four double-figure strikeout games, matching season and all-time strikeouts leader Matt Bischoff as the only Boilermakers with four 10-K games in a year
• Became the only Boilermaker in the last 20 years with three consecutive double-figure strikeout games, racking up 31 in 17 1/3 innings vs. Princeton, Longwood and Bellarmine
2021 / AS A JUNIOR (42-GAME CONFERENCE-ONLY SEASON)
• Brady Comeback Scholarship Award
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-District
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in 13 games, making two starts
• One of five pitchers to make an appearance of some kind in all 12 weekends and also worked a scoreless inning of relief in the May 11 midweek game
• Became the ninth Purdue student-athlete (across all sports) to be honored with the Brady Comeback Award from Methodist Sports Medicine, recognizing his return from hip surgery in 2020 and Tommy John in high school
• Was the winning pitcher in all three walk-off victories, working a combined 4 2/3 innings of scoreless four-hit relief in those appearances
• Earned saves for closing out wins vs. Ohio State and Penn State
• Was dynamite at Alexander Field, registering 10 strikeouts vs. three hits allowed over 8 2/3 shutout innings across five appearances
• Struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning vs. Nebraska in his season debut
• Worked three hitless innings as the starter in the game 2 win vs. Iowa, his first start at Alexander Field
• Also started the following week vs. Michigan State in East Lansing
• Registered more strikeouts (22) than hits allowed (12) and innings pitched (19 1/3)
• Surrendered just one home run and three doubles in his 19 innings, compiling a .185 batting average against total
• Stranded the tying run at third base by striking out OSU’s No. 3 hitter to close out the 16-15 Sunday slugfest in Columbus
2020 / AS A SOPHOMORE (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in five games, making his collegiate debut as a starter in game No. 3 of the season
• Joined Jett Jackson as the first Boilermakers since 2013 to make their collegiate debuts as starting pitchers during a season-opening weekend
• Worked 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief to earn the victory vs. Villanova in the championship game of the Campbell Invitational
• Worked four innings of three-run ball in his debut vs. Hofstra, including a pair of ground ball double plays
• Did not allow a walk or earned run over 2 2/3 innings of relief in the midweek game at Indiana
• Struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 sixth inning in the Sunday win at Western Kentucky
• Successfully defended a squeeze bunt for an out at home in his first inning of relief vs. Villanova, helping him keep the game tied
• Retired the final five batters he faced vs. Villanova, including a 1-2-3 seventh inning after Purdue took the lead
• Entered the season having only pitched three innings of regular season action at high school/college level since breakout 2015 campaign as a high school freshman
2019 / REDSHIRT SEASON
• Redshirted due to injury
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year varsity letterwinner at McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, playing for coaches Jake Burton, Brian Eaton and Purdue alumnus Doug Schreiber
• Also played varsity basketball
• Three-time All-North Central Conference honoree
• Team MVP and top hitter award winner as a junior
• Won the team’s top pitcher and rookie of the year awards as a freshman
• Went 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA & 82 Ks in 52 2/3 innings as a freshman
• Led the team in batting average as a sophomore
• Injuries kept him off the mound for both of his upperclassman seasons
• Had Tommy John Surgery in June 2017
PERSONAL
• Major: Agribusiness / Farm Management
• Full name is Jackson Robert Smeltz
• Born in Lafayette, Indiana
• Parents are Robert and Shannon Smeltz
• Family also includes siblings Zach, Darbie and Jed
• Grandma Jane Thompson, grandma Paulette Lambirth and uncle Jeff Brand are all Purdue alumni
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Chicago Cubs
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): New York Yankees
Favorite Athlete: Drew Brees
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Robert Smeltz, Father
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Hawkins Field (Vanderbilt)
Favorite Pro Stadium: Wrigley Field
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Ryan Howe
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Aaron Judge
Funniest Teammate: Avery Cook
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Curtis Washington Jr.
Purdue Staff Member He has Strongest Connection With: Casey Kohr
Celebrity Crush: Scarlett Johansson
One Band or Musical Artist in Your Favorite Playlist: Hardy
Band or Musical Artist You'd Love to See Play Purdue: Chris Stapleton
Favorite Multimedia App: Netflix
Favorite Sci-Fi Film Series: Dr. Strange
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Criminal Minds
Favorite Video Game System: XBOX 360
Favorite Month: November
Favorite Holiday: Easter
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Favorite Food: Chicken Wings
Favorite Dessert: Hot Brownie with Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Fishing
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Krannert School of Management
Favorite Big City: Pittsburgh
Unique Travel Locale: Kenya, Africa
Country He’d Like to Visit: New Zealand
Beaches or Mountains: Beaches
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Avery Cook as Spider-Man
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Grass
Favorite Thing About Purdue Baseball Road Trips: Playing Mafia
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: Teammates
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Getting His First Start in 2020
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Summer Baseball
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: Dr. James Eales
Furry Friend: Lafanda, Cat
• Selected in the 10th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres
2022 / AS A SENIOR
• Third Team Academic All-America
• Third Team All-Big Ten
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-District
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (April 11)
• Big Ten Pitcher of the Week (April 11)
• Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient
• Pitched in 10 games, making 10 weekend starts before an injury in late April
• Purdue's first Academic All-America honoree since 2001
• Racked up 79 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings to help Purdue eclipse team records for punchouts & Ks per nine innings
• While averaging 12.40 K/9, broke a Purdue record (minimum 30 IP) that had stood since 1965
• Just the second player in program history to be a multi-year Academic All-District honoree
• Recognized as the team's Pitcher of the Year
• Struck out 13 over eight innings of one-hit ball in April 9 shutout of rival Indiana, posting the highest game score (90) ever at Alexander Field
• His 13 strikeouts matched the third most in a game by a Boilermaker while also being the most since 2010 and the most ever by a Purdue lefty
• His game score of 90 vs. Indiana was the best ever by a Purdue pitcher with at least 12 punchouts
• The gem vs. Indiana made him Purdue's first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week since 2018 and the first starter to win the award since 2017
• Finished the season with four double-figure strikeout games, matching season and all-time strikeouts leader Matt Bischoff as the only Boilermakers with four 10-K games in a year
• Became the only Boilermaker in the last 20 years with three consecutive double-figure strikeout games, racking up 31 in 17 1/3 innings vs. Princeton, Longwood and Bellarmine
2021 / AS A JUNIOR (42-GAME CONFERENCE-ONLY SEASON)
• Brady Comeback Scholarship Award
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-District
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in 13 games, making two starts
• One of five pitchers to make an appearance of some kind in all 12 weekends and also worked a scoreless inning of relief in the May 11 midweek game
• Became the ninth Purdue student-athlete (across all sports) to be honored with the Brady Comeback Award from Methodist Sports Medicine, recognizing his return from hip surgery in 2020 and Tommy John in high school
• Was the winning pitcher in all three walk-off victories, working a combined 4 2/3 innings of scoreless four-hit relief in those appearances
• Earned saves for closing out wins vs. Ohio State and Penn State
• Was dynamite at Alexander Field, registering 10 strikeouts vs. three hits allowed over 8 2/3 shutout innings across five appearances
• Struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning vs. Nebraska in his season debut
• Worked three hitless innings as the starter in the game 2 win vs. Iowa, his first start at Alexander Field
• Also started the following week vs. Michigan State in East Lansing
• Registered more strikeouts (22) than hits allowed (12) and innings pitched (19 1/3)
• Surrendered just one home run and three doubles in his 19 innings, compiling a .185 batting average against total
• Stranded the tying run at third base by striking out OSU’s No. 3 hitter to close out the 16-15 Sunday slugfest in Columbus
2020 / AS A SOPHOMORE (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in five games, making his collegiate debut as a starter in game No. 3 of the season
• Joined Jett Jackson as the first Boilermakers since 2013 to make their collegiate debuts as starting pitchers during a season-opening weekend
• Worked 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief to earn the victory vs. Villanova in the championship game of the Campbell Invitational
• Worked four innings of three-run ball in his debut vs. Hofstra, including a pair of ground ball double plays
• Did not allow a walk or earned run over 2 2/3 innings of relief in the midweek game at Indiana
• Struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 sixth inning in the Sunday win at Western Kentucky
• Successfully defended a squeeze bunt for an out at home in his first inning of relief vs. Villanova, helping him keep the game tied
• Retired the final five batters he faced vs. Villanova, including a 1-2-3 seventh inning after Purdue took the lead
• Entered the season having only pitched three innings of regular season action at high school/college level since breakout 2015 campaign as a high school freshman
2019 / REDSHIRT SEASON
• Redshirted due to injury
HIGH SCHOOL
• Four-year varsity letterwinner at McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, playing for coaches Jake Burton, Brian Eaton and Purdue alumnus Doug Schreiber
• Also played varsity basketball
• Three-time All-North Central Conference honoree
• Team MVP and top hitter award winner as a junior
• Won the team’s top pitcher and rookie of the year awards as a freshman
• Went 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA & 82 Ks in 52 2/3 innings as a freshman
• Led the team in batting average as a sophomore
• Injuries kept him off the mound for both of his upperclassman seasons
• Had Tommy John Surgery in June 2017
PERSONAL
• Major: Agribusiness / Farm Management
• Full name is Jackson Robert Smeltz
• Born in Lafayette, Indiana
• Parents are Robert and Shannon Smeltz
• Family also includes siblings Zach, Darbie and Jed
• Grandma Jane Thompson, grandma Paulette Lambirth and uncle Jeff Brand are all Purdue alumni
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Chicago Cubs
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): New York Yankees
Favorite Athlete: Drew Brees
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Robert Smeltz, Father
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): Hawkins Field (Vanderbilt)
Favorite Pro Stadium: Wrigley Field
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Ryan Howe
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Aaron Judge
Funniest Teammate: Avery Cook
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Curtis Washington Jr.
Purdue Staff Member He has Strongest Connection With: Casey Kohr
Celebrity Crush: Scarlett Johansson
One Band or Musical Artist in Your Favorite Playlist: Hardy
Band or Musical Artist You'd Love to See Play Purdue: Chris Stapleton
Favorite Multimedia App: Netflix
Favorite Sci-Fi Film Series: Dr. Strange
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Criminal Minds
Favorite Video Game System: XBOX 360
Favorite Month: November
Favorite Holiday: Easter
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Favorite Food: Chicken Wings
Favorite Dessert: Hot Brownie with Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Fishing
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Purdue Building: Krannert School of Management
Favorite Big City: Pittsburgh
Unique Travel Locale: Kenya, Africa
Country He’d Like to Visit: New Zealand
Beaches or Mountains: Beaches
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Avery Cook as Spider-Man
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Grass
Favorite Thing About Purdue Baseball Road Trips: Playing Mafia
Favorite Thing About College Baseball: Teammates
Most Memorable Game/Moment at Purdue: Getting His First Start in 2020
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Summer Baseball
Enjoyed this Professor’s Class: Dr. James Eales
Furry Friend: Lafanda, Cat