H/W: 6-4 220 lb. B/T: S/L DOB: 12/6/86
The Rangers were delighted to see the former South Carolina Gamecock and 1st team All-American fall to them at the 10th slot of the '08 draft. Smoak continued his torrid hitting at Low-A Clinton (.304 3 HR 6 RBI in 14 games) and in a brief stint in the Arizona Fall League. His smooth swing and easy power from both sides of the plate evokes comparisons to current MLB sluggers Mark Teixeira and Lance Berkman and, similar to those two, many baseball scouts think Smoak will have 35-40 HR power with a high average and solid plate discipline in the major leagues. Defensively, Smoak is a highly capable first baseman with an average arm, a very good glove and above average footwork around the bag. The biggest downside to Justin's game right now is his below average speed on the basepaths. Given his profile as a run producing middle of the lineup hitter, this is a very minor detal.
2009 Projection: Smoak is on the fast track to Arlington, making it no surprise if the Rangers were to begin him at AA Frisco. If they don't, he will assuredly begin the season at High-A Bakersfield with a promotion at some point being a virtual certainty. The biggest thing to watch with Smoak is his early power production, the more he produces, the quicker his ascent to Texas will be. The Rangers have big plans to replace Hank Blalock's bat with Smoak's by the spring of 2010. Don't be surprised if the young draftee earns an audition in September.
Key Justin Smoak Baseball Cards
- 2008 Razor Auto #/699
- 2008 Razor Exclusive Auto
- 2008 Team USA Auto #/249
 2008 USA BB National Team On Card Autograph #79 Justin Smoak AUTO $39.99 |
 Smoakamotive Justin Smoak Seattle Mariners Promotional Train $34.95 |
 2009 TRISTAR Obak # 25 Justin Smoak $3.00 |
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