Holy Smoak! Jays slugger is an all-star
As a kid growing up in Goose Creek, S.C., Justin Smoak dreamed of being a big league all-star.
When he was drafted in the first round of the 2008 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Texas Rangers, the big first baseman expected to see this day.
It took a while, but thanks to a blistering first half, Smoak will head to Miami next weekend as the Toronto Blue Jays’ lone representative in the 2017 all-star game.
Smoak got there the best way, as the top vote-getter from fans who elected him as the American League’s starting first baseman.
“It’s awesome. It’s an honour,” the 30-year-old said shortly after learning the news Sunday. “It’s something as a young kid you always dreamed of — you wanted to be an all-star in the big leagues.
“I think earlier in my career, coming up in the minor leagues and getting drafted, that’s what I expected of myself. It didn’t happen that way, but I’m here now and excited to be a part of it.”
Also named to the game as a reserve player for the National League, was Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, a native of Toronto.
A large constituency of Blue Jays fans feared Smoak might be a disaster at first base this season. Instead, he’s among the American League statistical leaders in a number of categories.
After going two for four in Sunday’s 15-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox, Smoak is batting .303 and has a career-high 22 home runs and 53 RBIs. He’s been a consistent producer on a struggling Jays offence and as a switch-hitter has had success from both sides of the plate.
“He’s had a huge first half, a big turnaround coming off of last year,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “He’s been as steady as you can be. It’s pretty impressive. To be honest, you don’t see that too often. It was a battle for him last year.”
Helped by a heavy promotional effort by the Jays over the past couple of weeks, Smoak surged late in fan voting, surpassing Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals.
Smoak said that when he watched the all-star festivities he was more of a fan of the home run derby than the game itself. But when invited to compete in the slugging competition next Monday, he declined.
“I told them if they come and watch my (batting practice) they wouldn’t want me in the home-run derby,” Smoak said. “I think it will be more fun to watch the big boys battle it out.”