Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Josh Smith
InsidetheRangers.com will review each of the players on the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
OF/IF Josh Smith
Statistics for 2022: Smith played 73 games with the Rangers. He batted .197/.307/.249/.556 in 213 at-bats (42-of-213). He scored 23 runs, had 53 total bases, hit five doubles and two home runs (one inside-the-park). He drove in 16 runs. He walked 28 times, struck out 50 times, stole four bases and was caught stealing three times. Smith played four different positions for the Rangers — two games at second base, 36 games at third base, six games and shortstop and 24 games in left field. He had one error in 152 total chances.
Season Transactions: Smith began the season at Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers called Smith up on May 30 and put him on the injured list on June 4. The Rangers sent him to Round Rock on an injury rehab assignment on June 15 and recalled him on June 21. The Rangers sent Smith back to Round Rock on Aug. 21 and recalled him on Sept. 8. He spent the rest of the season with the Rangers.
Season Summary: Had Josh Jung not gotten hurt during spring training, it’s possible Smith might not have been called up. The Rangers called Smith up to play third base, but he was hurt less than a week later (which paved the way for Ezequiel Duran to be called up from Double-A Frisco). Once he returned, the Rangers had Smith play left field as Duran played third. Smith showed off his versatility by playing four positions and only being charged with one error. He had difficulty with consistency at the plate, however.
Contract Status: Smith is a rookie and under team control for the foreseeable future.
What’s next: Smith is a bit further ahead of Duran in proving to the Rangers that he could be, at the worse, a super-utility player. It says something that the Rangers threw Smith into left field with no experience at the Major League level at the position, and he played well. He has a quick step at his natural infield position and meshed well with both second baseman Marcus Semien and shortstop Corey Seager. The glove is up to the task. So is Smith’s speed on the basepaths. But he has to get on base more often, which means raising the batting average and drawing more walks. He’s a candidate for the Opening Day roster.
2022 Texas Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps:
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