Josh H. Smith - 5/23/22

Prospect Spotlight on Rangers' Josh H. Smith

Prospect Spotlight 🔦

Josh H. Smith, SS - 24 y/o, L/R, 5'10" / 172 - Rangers (AAA)

Last week: .250/.423/.250 (100 wRC+), 26 PA, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K

Smith spent the first two and a half seasons of his professional career with the Yankees organization, who selected him out of LSU in the 2nd round of the 2019 draft. Due to injuries and the missed pandemic season, Smith has yet to play a full season of pro ball. The Rangers saw enough of Smith to ask for him in the trade that sent Joey Gallo to the Yankees1 last season. Despite having been a pro since 2019, Smith’s 157 plate appearances this season are a new career high.

Smith has a contact-oriented approach at the plate with limited power. In his first exposure to AAA pitching this season he’s slashing .261/.369/.373 (97 wRC+) with three home runs and six stolen bases. Although Smith takes his fair share of free passes (11.5%), it’s mostly due to a passive approach and his ability to foul pitches off and eventually work walks. His above-average walk rate doesn’t appear to be due to a discerning eye or selective swing decisions, which is evidenced by his tendency to chase pitches outside the zone at a relatively high rate (30%). This approach will likely be less effective as he continues to see better pitching in AAA and the big leagues.