Josh Smoker
Josh Smoker | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Calhoun, Georgia | November 26, 1988|
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
MLB debut | |
August 19, 2016, for the New York Mets | |
MLB statistics (through 2018 season) | |
Win–loss record | 4–2 |
Earned run average | 5.35 |
Strikeouts | 97 |
Teams | |
Joshua Michael Smoker (born November 26, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Early life[]
Smoker was born in Calhoun, Georgia to Mike, an engineer, and Debbie Smoker.[1] As a child, he was an Atlanta Braves fan and dirt track racer.[2]
In 2007, Smoker was rated the eleventh best draft-eligible pitching prospect by Baseball America. As a high school senior, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Georgia after finishing with a 1.24 ERA and 152 strikeouts over 73 innings pitched.[3] He initially committed to play college baseball for Clemson.[4]
Professional career[]
Washington Nationals[]
Smoker was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft out of Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Georgia.[5] In 2008, he underwent surgery on a bone spur in his shoulder. In 2013, Dr. James Andrews performed surgery on Smoker to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. With his fastball velocity declining, the Nationals organization released him without him ever having played higher than Class A-Advanced.[3]
Rockford Aviators[]
After sitting out 2013 while recovering from surgery, Smoker played for the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League in 2014.[3]
New York Mets[]
In 2015, he signed with the New York Mets.[6][7]
Smoker was promoted to the Major Leagues on August 19, 2016, and made his debut that day.[8] He picked up his first Major League win on August 29 after pitching a scoreless tenth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.[9] In 2017, Smoker was named to his first ever Opening Day roster.[10] He was designated for assignment on January 26, 2018.[11]
Pittsburgh Pirates[]
On January 31, Smoker was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Daniel Zamora and cash considerations.[12] Smoker was designated for assignment on July 23, 2018.
Detroit Tigers[]
On July 28, 2018, Smoker was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. He was assigned to the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.[13] On August 26, 2018, the Tigers called up Smoker and he made his Tigers debut.[14] On September 6, 2018, the Tigers released Smoker.[15]
Los Angeles Dodgers[]
On October 10, 2018, Smoker signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to start the 2019 season. He was released on May 7, 2019.
York Revolution[]
August 9, 2019, Smoker signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the 2019 season. On April 6, 2020, he re-signed with the Revolution for the 2020 season. Smoker did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the ALPB season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year.
Personal life[]
Smoker married his high school sweetheart, Nicole, in December 2014.[16]
References[]
- ^ Wagner, James (October 4, 2016). "Once Damaged Goods, Mets' Josh Smoker Returns to the Top Shelf". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- ^ Carig, Marc (September 11, 2016). "Smoker fulfills boyhood dream at Turner Field". Newsday. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- ^ a b c Guardado, Maria (February 29, 2016). "How Josh Smoker went from independent leagues to Mets' bullpen candidate". NJ.com. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ Svrluga, Barry (August 14, 2007). "'Let's Go. I Just Want to Pitch.'". Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ^ Write, Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Sports. "Smoker drafted 31st overall by Washington Sport".
- ^ Editor, Alex Farrer, Calhoun Times Sports. "Professional Baseball: Smoker tries to make the most of second chance".
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Worthy: Josh Smoker healthy and having fun on the mound".
- ^ "Mets call up lefty reliever Josh Smoker, demote Josh Edgin".
- ^ Botte, Peter (August 29, 2016). "Cespedes saves the day! Mets beat Marlins in 10th on Yoenis HR". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Carig, Marc (April 2, 2017). "Four Mets enjoy first time on Opening Day roster". Newsday. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- ^ "Mets Designate Josh Smoker For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "New York Mets on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ McCosky, Chris (July 28, 2018). "Tigers sign lefty reliever Josh Smoker, DFA Saupold". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ "Tigers call up lefty reliever Josh Smoker". MLive.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ "Tigers take a flier, claim outfield prospect Dustin Peterson from Braves". Detroit News. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ Helfand, Betsy (July 27, 2016). "51s pitcher Josh Smoker and wife, Nicole, balance life on, off field". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Josh Smoker on Twitter
- Josh Smoker on Facebook
- 1988 births
- Living people
- People from Calhoun, Georgia
- Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- New York Mets players
- Pittsburgh Pirates players
- Detroit Tigers players
- Vermont Lake Monsters players
- Gulf Coast Nationals players
- Hagerstown Suns players
- Potomac Nationals players
- Savannah Sand Gnats players
- St. Lucie Mets players
- Binghamton Mets players
- Las Vegas 51s players
- Binghamton Rumble Ponies players
- Rockford Aviators players
- Indianapolis Indians players
- Toledo Mud Hens players
- Oklahoma City Dodgers players
- York Revolution players
- Calhoun High School alumni