The Rangers announced a series of moves today, including the news that infielder Josh Smith and outfielder Zach Reks have been called up from Triple-A. This will be the Major League debut for Smith, a second-round pick (for the Yankees) in the 2019 draft. To create roster space, Texas placed Brad Miller on the injured list and designated right-hander Albert Abreu for assignment.
Smith was one of the players acquired from New York in the Joey Gallo trade last July, and both MLB Pipeline (#7) and Baseball America (#9) rank Smith within the top 10 of all Rangers prospects. The LSU has done nothing but hit during his young pro career, resulting in a quick rise up the minor league ladder. Smith made his debut at the Triple-A level this season, and has hit .273/.382/.422 over 191 PA for Round Rock.
Smith has strong command of the strike zone for such a young player, as evidenced by his .420 OBP over 683 total PA in the minors. As noted by Baseball America’s scouting report, Smith “did an excellent job working counts to get pitches to drive, then punished balls from gap to gap. He rarely chases, and when he swings at pitches in the zone he almost never misses.” He has yet to develop true power, though Smith does make lots of hard contact and could be more of an extra-bases type hitter. Smith is also a threat on the basepaths, with 40 steals in 52 career chances.
Originally drafted as a shortstop, Smith has basically split time between shortstop, third base, and center field this year, owing to the presence of Corey Seager in the Rangers’ everyday lineup. Both BA and Pipeline observe that scouts weren’t entirely sold on Smith’s long-term viability as a shortstop anyway, and it remains to be seen what his ideal defensive position will be, if the Rangers don’t instead use him as a multi-position type of weapon.
For now, Smith will probably see much of his time at third base, essentially taking Miller’s spot as a left-handed hitting third base option alongside Andy Ibanez. Miller’s IL placement didn’t come with a designation, so it could be related to COVID-19, though Miller also left yesterday’s game due to tightness in his right hip.
Abreu came to Texas in another trade with the Yankees, the April swap that saw catcher Jose Trevino head to the Bronx. A former top-100 pitching prospect, Abreu has been plagued by a lack of control, and these problems again manifested themselves during his brief stint with the Rangers. While Abreu managed a 3.12 ERA over 8 2/3 relief innings this season, he had more walks (12) than strikeouts (9). The DFA doesn’t necessarily mean that the Rangers are giving up on Abreu, but since he is out of minor league options, the Rangers had to designate the righty and risk losing him on waivers before outrighting him to Triple-A.
Josh Smith is a future All-Star – book it!
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Maybe Josh Smith is coming up to replace the black hole in the Ranger batting order otherwise known as Eli White’s bat. Interesting to note: He has been playing at SS, 3B, and CF at Round Rock this season.
Ibanez, until recently wasn’t any better than White. I would’ve called up Smith/Duran for Ibanez’s spot and Tavares/Bubba for Eli’s spot. One down, one to go.
Smith is a left batting Nick Solak.
Eli white is a rookie, give him some time. the black hole in lineup is semien
Semien is batting over .300 in his last 10. He’s starting to come around.
He played in 64 games last year and sucked then too.
In 119 games he has a career BA of .177
I’d much rather see Bubba or Tavares get a shot.
Not hardly. Don’t know exact avg in last 10, but .276 last 5 and .267 last 15. He’s gonna be next choo. Gonna have some monster games and hot streaks, but gonna mostly be overpaid streaky player with a contract that ages horribly.
He was 3-5 11 games ago. That’s the difference between yours and mine.
I’m guessing Abreu is out of options, because idk why he would be DFA’d over like Sborz or Nicklaus.
At least the Yankees won that trade. Trevino might not be much, but he’s had some big hits and has become Cole’s personal catcher.
Trevino has been outstanding. He’s an elite defensive catcher.
Yep, well Jonah Heim is batting .270 as the Rangers catcher
The Yankees should bring back Abreu after all their recent bullpen injuries, kid haas a very live arm.
Ugh. As if Gallo wasn’t doing enough on his own to suck every ounce of value out of the deal. Hauver could be ready as soon as next season too.
The Gallo trade is looking pretty good for Texas. It surprise me that he’s performed so poorly in New York. The fact that Matt Carpenter is taking up a roster spot on the Yankees is also crazy.
Yeah, I really like Smith, and Hauver was coming around when they traded him.
This trade is going to bode well for the Rangers, imo. We are going to let Gallo go with well wishes, and a silent hope never to see him back in pinstripes again, unfortunately. Seems like a great guy, honestly, but not right for the Yankees.
I dubbed Joey Gallo as Chris Davis 2.0 about 3 years ago.
Does Josh Smith have a middle initial other than A. or D.?
The Yankees have Paul Popovich also waiting in the wings along with 30 other ball players that are either over-the-hill or nonproductive. Cashman has a source that can get them in bulk. Guaranteed to never run out.
Otto starts and Josh Smith has 3 hits in his debut. Duran is producing in AAA. Looks like a damn good trade for the Rangers.
MLB IS TOTALLY RUINING BASEBALL.
Tickets for Round Rock Express
WENT FROM $20 TO $50.
MLB SUCKS
MANFRED SUCKS
BASEBALL IS NOTHING BUT A RIP OFF!!!!
MLB SUCKS!!!!!