Justin Smoak asks you to forget those first six weeks
On Friday night, facing Wade Davis(notes) and the Rays, Justin Smoak(notes) finally went to work.
He homered in the second inning — a deep upper-deck bomb — singled in both the fourth and fifth, then drew a walk in the seventh. Smoak finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, raising his season average above .200 at last.
Add him. Today. Do it.
Smoak is only nine percent-owned, but he's no less interesting now than he was back in April when the Rangers promoted him.
Despite the poor early returns, Smoak hasn't really been overmatched by major league pitching. He's homered six times and he's walking nearly as often as he's striking out (23 BBs, 26 Ks). Smoak's line drive rate is outstanding (24.0 percent), yet he's had almost no luck on balls-in-play (.213 BABIP). Give him time. You'll like the results. The home park is friendly and Texas' lineup is among baseball's best. Don't abandon hope.
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Photo via AP Images
