Josh Smith (infielder) explained

Josh Smith
Team:Texas Rangers
Number:8
Position:Infielder
Bats:Left
Throws:Right
Birth Date:7 August 1997
Birth Place:Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 30
Debutyear:2022
Debutteam:Texas Rangers
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 19, 2024
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.228
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:20
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:82
Teams:
Awards:

Josh Harris Smith (born August 7, 1997) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

Smith attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[1] He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 38th round of the 2016 MLB draft, but did not sign and attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers.[2] He started for the Tigers as a freshman, hitting .281/.407/.409/.816 with 5 home runs and 48 RBI. Smith played in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2017 for the Harwich Mariners, hitting .382/.478/.513/.991 with 3 home runs and 12 RBI.[3] [4] Smith missed all but six games of his sophomore year due to a stress reaction in his back.[5] [6] He returned as a starter in his junior year, hitting .346/.433/.533/.966 with 9 home runs and 41 RBI.

Professional career

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees selected Smith in the second round, with the 67th overall selection, of the 2019 MLB draft.[7] [8] He signed with New York for a $967,700 signing bonus.[9] He played for the Staten Island Yankees following his signing, hitting .324/.450/.477/.927 with three home runs and 15 RBIs over 33 games.[10] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith started the 2021 season with the Tampa Tarpons of Low-A Southeast and was promoted to the Hudson Valley Renegades of High-A East,[11] hitting a combined .324/.448/.641/1.089 with 9 home runs, 24 RBI, and 17 stolen bases.[12]

Texas Rangers

On July 29, 2021, the Yankees traded Smith, along with Glenn Otto, Ezequiel Durán, and Trevor Hauver, to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Joey Gallo and Joely Rodríguez.[13] He was assigned to the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A East; after nine games with Hickory, the Rangers promoted Smith to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central.[14] Smith spent his 2022 season minor league time with the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League,[15] hitting .290/.395/.466/.861 6 home runs, 45 RBI, and 9 stolen bases over 55 games.

On May 30, 2022, Texas selected Smith's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.[16] [17] He made his MLB debut that night versus the Tampa Bay Rays.[18] He recorded his first career hit, a single off Drew Rasmussen, and finished the game with three hits.[19] Smith was placed on the injured list with a sprained left AC joint on June 4.[20] On July 11, 2022, Smith hit an inside-the-park home run against the Oakland Athletics, the first home run of his career.[21] Over 73 games for Texas in 2022, Smith hit .197/.307/.249/.556 with 2 home runs and 16 RBI.[22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: William. Weathers. Injury doesn't deter Catholic High's Josh Smith. July 29, 2021. NOLA.com. August 4, 2015 . en.
  2. Web site: June 3, 2019. Get to know Yankees 2019 second-round draft pick Josh Smith. July 29, 2021. SNY.
  3. Web site: West. Glen. October 9, 2017. Josh Smith, Jake Slaughter adjust to new roles in middle of the infield. July 29, 2021. The Reveille. en.
  4. Web site: #15 Josh Smith - Profile . pointstreak.com . May 29, 2022.
  5. Web site: Miller. Brody. LSU infielder Josh Smith shut down for the rest of the season. The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. July 12, 2019. July 29, 2021.
  6. Web site: Moran. James. Cover Story How loss ignited Josh Smith's burning desire to be great. February 14, 2019 . July 29, 2021. en-US.
  7. Web site: LSU shortstop, Catholic High graduate Josh Smith taken 67th overall by New York Yankees. Wilson. Alexander. The Advocate. Baton Rouge, La.. June 3, 2019. July 29, 2021.
  8. Web site: Holland. Brain. June 4, 2019. LSU SS Josh Smith Drafted by the New York Yankees. July 29, 2021. BRProud.com. en-US.
  9. Web site: Brody. Peter. April 24, 2021. Yankees 2021 Prospect Preview: Josh Smith. July 29, 2021. Pinstripe Alley. en.
  10. Web site: Rabalais: Former LSU SS Josh Smith waits in limbo to see if and when pro baseball restarts. Scott. Rabalais. The Advocate. Baton Rouge, La.. April 1, 2020. July 29, 2021.
  11. Web site: Miller . Randy . Why Yankees promote 2 shortstop prospects, but not raking Anthony Volpe . NJ.com. 2021-06-08 . 2024-07-24.
  12. Web site: Josh Smith Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History. July 29, 2021. Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. Web site: Hoch. Brian. July 29, 2021. Yankees get Gallo in 6-player deal. July 29, 2021. MLB.com.
  14. Web site: Halicke . Chris . After The 'Craziest' Year of His Life, Josh Smith is Excited For Texas Rangers' Direction - Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers News, Analysis and More . Si.com . February 1, 2022 . May 31, 2022.
  15. Web site: Evan. Grant. Rangers notebook: Though a long shot to make the roster, prospect Josh Smith has coaches raving . Dallasnews.com . March 26, 2022 . May 31, 2022.
  16. Web site: Rangers put Miller on IL, bring up Josh Smith for MLB debut . USA Today. May 30, 2022 . May 31, 2022.
  17. Web site: Franques . Bill . May 30, 2022 . Josh Smith Called Up to Texas Rangers MLB Roster . May 31, 2022 . .
  18. Web site: Weaver . Levi . Levi Weaver . May 30, 2022 . Rangers call up Josh Smith; what's the plan for playing time? . May 31, 2022 . .
  19. Web site: May 30, 2022 . Rangers' Miller on IL; Smith tallies 3 hits in debut . May 31, 2022 . .
  20. Web site: The . AP . Associated Press . June 4, 2022 . Rangers' Duran makes MLB debut; Smith to IL . June 4, 2022 . .
  21. Web site: Former LSU infielder Josh Smith hits first career HR . July 12, 2022 .
  22. Postins . Matthew . October 12, 2022 . Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Josh Smith . January 8, 2023 . Sports Illustrated.