Return to MLB Prospect index Justin Smoak - 1B Justin Smoak Scouting Report - Smoak was the 11th overall selection by the Rangers in the 2008 MLB Draft. - He was born on December 5th, 1986 in South Carolina. - Smoak was drafted by Oakland in the 16th round in 2005 and instead went to South Carolina and cut his teeth in the SEC. The A's were reportedly $50k shy of signing Smoak on his $1 million asking price. - Ranked 22nd by Baseball Prospectus in their Top 100 Prospects for 2009. - Smoak is a switch hitter with good power, a good eye and a good glove, which will consistently draw the very obvious comparisons to Mark Teixeira. He appears to have a longer swing from the right side. - He has already drawn praise from the Rangers on his work ethic. - Though limited to just 62 plate appearances in A ball by the time he finally signed, Smoak hit .304/.355/.518. - Smoak doesn't project as having massive power, but his awareness of the strike zone combined with the friendly hitter dimensions of Arlington should allow him to consisently post an OPS in the high .800s/low .900s. Updates RealGM will be tracking Justin Smoak throughout his minor league development and present updates on his progress here and within our Wiretap. Mar. 19, 2009: Rangers reassign Smoak to minor league camp. Justin Smoak Links Latest Justin Smoak news via Google Smoak's FanGraphs Page Smoak's FirstInning.com page Click here to see our complete Prospect Review on other members of the Texas Rangers - If you have updates on Justin Smoak that warrant inclusion on this page, please email me at [email protected]