FREDERICK, MD – Two 2025 Frederick Keys pitchers signed professional contracts earlier this fall as left-handed pitcher Jace Miner and right-handed pitcher Davis Smith will head to the American Association of Professional Baseball and compete for the Cleburne Railroaders in 2026.
Miner, who signed his contract on October 18, heads to Cleburne fresh off a solid second half this past summer with the Keys. Jace Miner threw in seven games and made two starts, completing the summer with a 1.53 ERA in 17.2 innings.
The former Wichita State Shocker and Oklahoma Sooner saved his best outing for last this summer as he finished with five scoreless innings against the West Virginia Black Bears on August 31. As part of his second start of the season, Miner racked up six strikeouts and gave up no walks, allowing only two hits.
Miner arrived in the MLB Draft League after pitching for the La Crosse Loggers in the Midwest-based Northwoods League that same summer. Prior to that, he pitched for Wichita State and compiled a 5.12 ERA in 38.2 innings as a senior for the Shockers program.
Social Circle, Georgia native Davis Smith finalized his contract on November 5 and will move to the Lone Star State after serving as the Keys closer during the second half of the 2025 season.
Smith finished the year tied with Valek Cisneros for the most appearances for the Keys with 18 and recorded a 2.53 ERA across 21.1 innings. He also finished the month of August with a team-best 0.69 ERA in 10 appearances and did not allow a run in nine of the 10 outings.
Smith came to Frederick following two seasons for Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia. During the 2025 campaign, he finished with 28 strikeouts across 36 innings on the hill, helping his team make the third round of the 2025 Sun Belt Championship Tournament.
Watch more future stars as the Frederick Keys make their return to affiliated baseball next season as the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The first home game will take place on Tuesday, April 14 against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees). Game times, tickets, and the promotional schedule will be released at a later date.
