Robinson Smith Signs with pittsburgh pirates
Melbourne, Australia — 16 January 2025 — Prince Sports & Entertainment is pleased to announce that 17-year-old Robinson Smith, a rising star in Australian baseball, has signed a six- year professional contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
During the 2022 Senior League State Championships, he made a notable impact while representing the Southern Mariners, delivering two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and allowing no hits. On the national stage, Robinson competed in the Australian 18U national tournament at just 16 years old, where his commitment and work ethic were widely praised. His consistent performances in these high-stakes environments made him one of Australia’s rising stars in baseball.
In 2024, Robinson spent time in the US, honing his skills with US Top Prospect coach Manny Carrion in Florida. He caught further attention from other MLB club scouts before choosing the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Robinson expressed his excitement for this next chapter, saying, “Signing professionally is something I have dreamt about for as long as I can remember. The Pirates are the perfect fit and offer me the opportunity to develop as a player and pitcher, supporting my journey to my big-league goal. I have had so many people help me get where I am today: family, coaches, and teammates. It will take hard work, but I’m up for it and can’t wait to begin next month.”
Steve Williams, Vice President Player Personnel, Pittsburgh Pirates, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Robinson to our organization and the Pirates family. He exemplifies the qualities we seek in a player who will contribute to the future success of our team. Robinson possesses outstanding character and athleticism, with the potential to become a future Major League pitcher. After scouting him extensively, our staff was overjoyed when he agreed to terms. We look forward to watching his development and growth in the years to come.”
Tony Harris, Pittsburgh Pirates, Senior Advisor Player Personnel, also spoke at the event, highlighting Robinson’s exceptional talent and potential. “Athletes like Robinson are rare. We have been following his development for some time, and he possesses the physicality, athleticism, competitiveness, and work ethic that we seek in a young ballplayer. He enjoys playing on both sides of the ball, loves to hit, and has a fastball that consistently reaches the low to mid-90s (miles per hour). You put the whole package together, and it’s very exciting. I believe his future is on the mound, and he has the potential to play at the highest level, so it’s time to put in the work and aim for the big leagues.
Adding a personal touch to the occasion, Nicole Livingstone OAM OLY, Robinson’s mother, shared her perspective on her son’s baseball journey. “As parents, we are incredibly proud of Robinson. From the first day, he picked up a bat and ball, and at around the same time, he learned to walk. You could see he had something special. We have always loved watching him play, and we can’t wait to see what this next exciting chapter brings.”
This signing coincides with the commencement of the 2025 MLB international signing period, which runs from January 15 to December 15. This period allows MLB teams to sign top international amateur talent, bolstering their rosters with players worldwide. Robinson's signing highlights Australia's increasing impact in Major League Baseball (MLB), as only 38 Australians have made it to the majors. In a historic moment in 2024, Travis Bazzana became the first Australian to be selected first overall in the MLB Draft.