MESA, Ariz. — Josh Smith is in his first spring training with the Rangers. He is making team officials take notice.
Funny thing: The same thing happened last year even though he was with another club entirely.
A year ago, Rangers scout Jonathan George was in Tampa for Yankees spring training, when he happened upon an early-camp intrasquad game. He was still watching when a tiny little third baseman sprinted for a foul pop and did a full-on Derek Jeter dive over the tarp.
“I remember thinking that guy is a lunatic,” George said Thursday, using the description as the highest possible compliment. “Who does that. Winners do that. I believe that’s literally what I wrote down: “Hurt diving into stands in intrasquad game. Winner!”
The dive caught the Rangers’ attention. But, it also cost Smith six weeks because he tore a muscle in his thumb. When he returned, he captured it again. And held it until the Rangers’ made him central to their price for sending Joey Gallo to New York. The Rangers received four prospects: Smith and fellow infielder Ezequiel Duran, hitter Trevor Hauver and pitcher Glenn Otto.
Since arriving, the 24-year-old has only made others make similar comments. In a shortened camp where prospects may have less room to shine, Smith, infielder Davis Wendzel and outfielder Bubba Thompson have all stood out. Smith maybe a smidge more than the others. He went into Thursday’s 5-3 win over Oakland having reached eight times in 11 plate appearances, including three walks and a home run. Then he singled in the ninth in his only at-bat Thursday. After a week of games, he’s rolling with a .750 OPS.
On Wednesday, he lined a two-strike pitch to right for a hit and eventually stole third, applying the kind of pressure manager Chris Woodward has asked of his team on the regular. He was, however, thrown out twice on the bases Thursday. If there is a time to push the envelope, though, it is in spring.
Thursday, he entered Thursday’s game late, at third base. Though Smith is a natural shortstop, Woodward said the Rangers want to see him at third as a potential in-season contingency. He handled a handful of chances smoothly at third on Thursday. He may also get a look in center field whenever he goes back to the minor league camp.
“What was I told about him?” Woodward answered a question with a question on Thursday. “A lot of this.”
“He has been relentless on the bases,” Woodward added. “He’s always looking for an edge. When I spoke to the team about maintaining our aggressiveness, he got the message loud and clear. He looks for little details on how to pick up things on the pitchers. And he’s a gamer. He is definitely a product of what we want because he is just constantly pressuring the other team.”
Smith is only 5-10 and 178 pounds. Of the herd of infielders in camp, he looks the least threatening. He admitted he takes a terrible round of batting practice. But, he’s made it all work to his advantage.
“This is just how I grew up playing,” said Smith, whom the Yankees drafted out of LSU in the second round in 2019. “I had to play hard. I couldn’t be lazy. I’m not gifted like other guys, so I’ve got to go a little harder.”
It’s made him stand out.
