• Full name Joshua M. Smoker
  • Born 11/26/1988 in Calhoun, GA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 232 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Calhoun
  • Debut 08/19/2016
  • Drafted in the C-A round (31st overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2007 (signed for $1,000,000).
    View Draft Report
    It was apparent Smoker was bound for success when, as a freshman in 2004, he set a school strikeout record with 126 in 62 innings. He broke the record in 2005, when he amassed 137 in 75 innings, helping his team win Georgia's 2-A championship. Smoker was named co-player of the year in the state, sharing the honors with Buster Posey, now at Florida State. He has been a mainstay on the wood bat and showcase tour for years, and has a portfolio as deep as any player in the draft, including college players. He'll warm up with six pitches and uses them all in games, though his 91-92 mph fastball, 74-76 mph curve and low- to mid-80s split-finger fastball are his bread and butter. He also flashes a changeup and slider. When he stays over the rubber and doesn't attempt to overthrow, he shows above-average command of all of his stuff. He'll run his fastball in on righthanders, snap his curve for a swing-and-miss pitch and lean on his splitter for strikeouts, as it at times can be unhittable. He pitches with fervor and guile, endearing himself to teammates and scouts alike. Smoker isn't expected to get much bigger, but he's athletic and durable, profiling as a No. 2 or 3 starter. He could go as high as No. 14 to Atlanta.

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