Former Mariners Speedster Re-Signs In Independent American Association

It looks like he won't be returning to the MLB.

Mallex Smith has re-signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the independent American Association.

Smith has not played a game in the majors since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when he played just 14 games with the Seattle Mariners.

The speedy outfielder signed a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last offseason, but was eventually released in June after appearing in just 25 games with their Triple-A affiliate. 

For his major-league career, spanning five seasons and 442 games, the twenty-nine-year-old holds a .255/.325/.361 triple-slash line, with 13 home runs, 114 RBIs, 120 stolen bases and 198 runs scored. He led the league in stolen bases with a whopping 46 in 2019.

Smith would be appealing to teams for his elite speed, and would make for a valuable postseason bench option, but that's about it.

He is a former fifth-round pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2012 MLB Draft.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports