Inoue, Smith Sign Undrafted Free Agent Contracts
Jul 15, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State baseball seniors Shintaro Inoue and Miles Smith have signed free agent contracts with MLB organizations following the 2026 MLB Draft, as Inoue signed with the Athletics and Smith joined the Washington Nationals.
Inoue and Smith become the fifth and sixth Wildcats from the 2026 roster to join MLB organizations after shortstop Dee Kennedy (4th round), right-handed pitchers James Guyette (5th round) and Tazwell Butler (10th round), and catcher Bear Madliak (18th round) were selected in this year's draft.
A senior second baseman from Yamaguchi, Japan, Inoue was one of only two Wildcats to appear and start in all 57 games this season. He hit .278 with a .395 on-base percentage and .422 slugging percentage, collecting 14 doubles, six home runs, 34 RBI and 51 runs scored – the second-highest total on the team.
Inoue earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors and earned a spot on the Baseball America Collegiate National Team of the Week in March after helping K-State to a series victory over Houston. In the series opener, he recorded career highs with five hits and six RBI.
Smith, a senior right-handed reliever from Flintville, Tennessee, made 20 appearances out of the bullpen in 2026. He finished the season with a 7.01 ERA, a 2-5 record and one combined shutout. Over 34 2/3 innings, he struck out 31 batters while holding opponents to a .266 batting average.
K-State finished the 2026 season with a 30-27 overall record, securing the program's fourth consecutive 30-win campaign. The streak matches the longest stretch of 30-win seasons in school history and marks the Wildcats' first run since 1988-91.
K-State's 2026 MLB Draft Picks
K-State's 2026 Free Agents
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Inoue and Smith become the fifth and sixth Wildcats from the 2026 roster to join MLB organizations after shortstop Dee Kennedy (4th round), right-handed pitchers James Guyette (5th round) and Tazwell Butler (10th round), and catcher Bear Madliak (18th round) were selected in this year's draft.
A senior second baseman from Yamaguchi, Japan, Inoue was one of only two Wildcats to appear and start in all 57 games this season. He hit .278 with a .395 on-base percentage and .422 slugging percentage, collecting 14 doubles, six home runs, 34 RBI and 51 runs scored – the second-highest total on the team.
Inoue earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors and earned a spot on the Baseball America Collegiate National Team of the Week in March after helping K-State to a series victory over Houston. In the series opener, he recorded career highs with five hits and six RBI.
Smith, a senior right-handed reliever from Flintville, Tennessee, made 20 appearances out of the bullpen in 2026. He finished the season with a 7.01 ERA, a 2-5 record and one combined shutout. Over 34 2/3 innings, he struck out 31 batters while holding opponents to a .266 batting average.
K-State finished the 2026 season with a 30-27 overall record, securing the program's fourth consecutive 30-win campaign. The streak matches the longest stretch of 30-win seasons in school history and marks the Wildcats' first run since 1988-91.
K-State's 2026 MLB Draft Picks
| Player, Position | Hometown | Round | Pick | Team |
| Dee Kennedy, SS | Fort Worth, Texas | 4 | 114 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| James Guyette, RHP | Newbury Park, Calif. | 5 | 157 | San Diego Padres |
| Tazwell Butler, RHP | Sandy Springs, Ga. | 10 | 301 | Houston Astros |
| Bear Madliak, C | Carrollton, Ga | 18 | 531 | Athletics |
K-State's 2026 Free Agents
| Player, Position | Hometown | Team |
| Shintaro Inoue, 2B | Yamaguchi, Japan | Athletics |
| Miles Smith, RHP | Flintville, Tenn. | Washington Nationals |
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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