| 23 |
 NAME: Justin Smoak POSITION: First Base AGE: 22 | BATS: B | THROWS: L ORGANIZATION: Texas Rangers |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Scouting Report: What makes this kid so special is his incredible eye at the plate, especially for a power hitter, as he consistently drew more walks than strikeouts each year in college. Smoak also posses a very sweet and fluid swing with the ability to hit productively from both sides of the plate as well as having plus-power to all fields. He has outstanding bat speed and takes healthy cuts which together helps the ball jump off his bat. While he does a great job staying inside the ball, he may need to pull the ball more (something you don’t hear too often with power hitters) rather than trying to force things to other fields. Smoak’s power will translate well to the majors and has the potential to hit 35-40 as well as hit for a high average. He’s a player for the Rangers to start building around. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
By Matthew Whipps
“The Diamond Cutter“
Major & Minor League Baseball Columnist
mlbdiamondcutter@gmail.com | Facebook
|
|
| 
|
December 31, 2008 at 6:07 PM |
Obviously we will find out later, but just curious who you like more….Smoak or Lars Anderson??? Smoak seems to have more power with Anderson having better discipline.
December 31, 2008 at 6:53 PM |
We will soon find out! I honestly had more difficultly doing this list than any other year before. Even as I look at it now I feel like I could make a bunch of changes and feel good about it. Just so many good young players…
January 16, 2009 at 10:20 PM |
[...] The Diamond Cutter tells us just what kind of hitter Smoak is. [...]