5 reasons to watch Justin Smoak in tonight’s MLB All-Star Game
Former South Carolina star Justin Smoak will start at first base for the American League in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star game, which starts at 8 p.m. on Fox. Five reasons to watch:
1. Power display
Smoak has finally turned into one of the best power hitters in baseball. He already has set a career high for home runs in a season with 23. His previous high came in 2013 when he hit 20. Smoak is tied for ninth in Major League Baseball in homers, seven behind MLB leader Aaron Judge. Smoak turned down an invitation to participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
2. Perseverance
Smoak is a great example of the positives that can come from working through difficulties and never giving up. He started his pro career with monster expectations after being draft No. 11 overall by the Texas Rangers in 2008, but he failed to live up to them until now. Many questioned if Smoak would ever reach his potential, but he will be starting at first base and batting sixth for the American League.
3. Homegrown
Smoak is a South Carolina native who starred at Stratford High School in Goose Creek before attending USC. He was named the South Carolina 4A Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and led Stratford to the state championship in 2005. Smoak hit .558 with 18 home runs and 49 RBIs as a senior in high school.
4. Gamecock great
Smoak was an All-American at South Carolina and holds many Gamecocks records. He is USC’s all-time leader in home runs hit with 62, and he holds the record for home runs by a freshman with 17 in 2006. He hit three home runs in a game twice in his career, in 2008 against Wofford and USC Upstate. Smoak also holds the record for RBIs in a career by a Gamecock with 207 in 194 games.
5. Team MVP
Smoak has been far-and-away the MVP for the Blue Jays in 2017. He leads the team in batting average (.294), home runs (23), RBIs (56), slugging percentage (.575) and OPS (.936). Smoak said the key to having such a strong season is that he is no longer trying to hit home runs and is instead focusing on having good at- bats and getting good pitches to hit. He has been rewarded for his new approach with a breakout season and his first All-Star game nod.
This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 12:00 PM with the headline "5 reasons to watch Justin Smoak in tonight’s MLB All-Star Game."