BA Newsletter: Get Analysis, Rankings Delivered To Your Inbox!

Josh Smith

#26 | SS/LF/3B
Texas Rangers Texas Rangers
Josh Smith
Name: Joshua Harris Smith
Born: Aug 7, 1997 in Baton Rouge, LA
High School: Catholic HS, Baton Rouge
College: Louisiana State
Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 175 lbs
Bats: L / Throws: R
 ABAVGOBPSLGHR
202390.211.360.3443
Career303.201.323.2775
Drafted in the 2nd round (67th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2019 (signed for $976,700)
Smith doesn’t have any “wow” tools that many of the other 2019 college shortstops possess, but unlike most of them, Smith’s consistency and reliability when healthy has given him a fairly high floor. He handled himself well as a freshman in 2017, hitting .281/.407/.409 with more walks (39) than strikeouts (33) in 72 games, but the following year a stress reaction in his back limited him to just six games. This spring, Smith has been a consistent defender at shortstop, and through his first 48 games, he led Louisiana State in batting average (.348), on-base percentage (.444) and stolen bases (15) and was second on the team in slugging percentage (.525). Smith’s tools are close to average across the board, with his best tool being either a solid-average hit tool or his defensive ability at shortstop. At just 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Smith surprisingly has average raw power, although he isn’t likely to grow into much more power in the future. And while he has terrific defensive instincts and solid hands, some scouts believe he’ll eventually have to move to second base simply because a player with twitchier defensive tools will push him off shortstop in any given organization. Smtih’s size, lack of standout tools and medical history limit his upside in the draft, but SEC shortstops who hit—and hit lefthanded—tend to be drafted high, regardless of their tools. Smith’s track record in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .382/.478/.513 in 22 games in 2017, also adds to his profile. Smith is a high-floor player who should fit somewhere early on Day 2, at the latest.
Career Statistics
  • Career Statistics
  • 2023 Game Logs
  • 2023 Splits
  • Spring Training
Loading
Loading
Split TypeAVGGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOOBPSLGOPS
Split TypeWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOAVGOBPSLGWHIP
Loading
Loading
Loading
Loading
Loading
of Free Stories Remaining