Josh Smith (smithjo11)

Josh Harris Smith

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 172 lb.
• School Louisiana State University
• High School Catholic High School (Baton Rouge)
• Debut May 30, 2022

• Born August 7, 1997 in Baton Rouge, LA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Infielder Josh Smith was the third player of that name to appear in the majors in short order when he made his debut as a third baseman for the Texas Rangers against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 30, 2022. Before him, pitcher Josh Smith had made his debut in 2015 and the second pitcher named Josh Smith had done so in 2019. The two pitchers had last appeared in the major leagues in 2020 - both with the Miami Marlins - but were still active, so all three often appeared in boxscores with their middle initial appended, making this one Josh H. Smith (distinguishing him from the aforementioned Josh A. Smith and Josh D. Smith). In his debut, he went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, in a 9-5 Rangers win. He went on to play 73 games that first season, hitting .197 with 2 homers and 16 RBIs and an OPS+ of 63.

He was drafted twice, first by the Detroit Tigers in the 38th round of the 2016 amateur draft coming out of high school, then by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 2019 amateur draft, out of Louisiana State University. As a freshman, he was the starting third baseman on the LSU team that reached the finals of the 2017 College World Series, then missed most of the 2018 season with a stress reaction in his vertebrae. On July 29, 2021 he was sent by the Yankees to the Rangers as part of the trade for All-Star OF Joey Gallo.

Notable Achievements

• Won one World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023

Related Sites

• Josh H. Smith on mlb.com
• Louisiana State bio