Former Blue Jay Justin Smoak is Raking in Japan

Justin Smoak is getting attention in Japan whether he likes it or not.

A dozen games into his Nippon Professional Baseball career, former Blue Jay Smoak is giving post-game "hero" interviews, being awarded high quality Japanese meat, and leading his Yomiuri Giants to the second-best record in the league.

"I am sure most of you know this much attention is a lot for him," Smoak's wife Kristin tweeted. "But it’s all about embracing the new experiences!"

Through 12 games, Smoak has hit three homers, is hitting .357, and getting on base 40 percent of the time. Though one of Smoak's biggest assets in the MLB was his ability to walk, it appears he's swinging away in Japan. The switch hitter has walked just once in 45 plate appearances and struck out 13 times.

Smoak signed with the Giants in December 2020 for an estimated $6-7 million. He is joined on the roster by fellow big leaguers Eric Thames and Zelous Wheeler. The former Yankee Wheeler leads the team in most hitting stats, slashing .442/.484/.756 with five home runs.

In 684 games with the Blue Jays Smoak posted a .796 OPS, hit 117 homers, and tallied 321 RBI. Smoak represented Toronto at the 2019 All Star Game in a year he notched 38 homers and hit .270. After leaving in the Blue Jays in 2019, he played parts of 2020 for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants.

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