Smoak has been catch for Blue Jays
Slugger tops AL first basemen in fielding percentage
When Justin Smoak was a firsttime all-star in 2017, he earned his way to the Midsummer Classic with his prowess at the plate, a performance that justifiably wooed voters.
It was the bat that got the Blue Jays first baseman to the big leagues, after all. But Smoak was taught as a kid that as well as he could swing the bat, it might be the glove that keeps him invaluable.
The soft-spoken native of South Carolina has been the most reliable defensive first baseman in the American League this season, ranking first in fielding percentage with just one error.
“Honestly, I feel like at a very young age my dad told me you’ve got to be able to play both sides of the baseball,” Smoak said. “It was something back in the day that you’d just throw guys (on first base) that were brutal (defensively). They were just good hitters and sluggers.
“Now the game’s changed a little bit to where they want guys that can play defence. It’s something I’ve always taken pride in.”
Despite his size, the six-footfour, 220-pounder has savvy quickness around the bag with a big reach and lightning-quick glove that’s as good as any in snagging wayward throws.
“He’s been unbelievable not just this year, but the past few years,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “I think he’s a bit underrated and doesn’t get the recognition he probably deserves.
“But he’s a big guy and he’s got that big wingspan and he handles himself around the bag and picks it as good as anybody. You take it for granted at times until you see somebody out there that can’t do what he does.”
Smoak’s defensive role has been of particular importance this season given the roving band of characters switching it up in the middle infield spots.
CLOSING TIME
Gibbons has made it clear that recently acquired reliever Ken Giles will be his closer until proven otherwise.
Coming to Toronto in the deal that sent Roberto Osuna to the defending World Series-champion Houston Astros, Giles hasn’t been in for a save situation, but has seen action in two games.
He gave up a run in his first appearance Friday, but threw a scoreless ninth inning in his second Saturday against the Seattle Mariners with a fastball and slider that impressed catcher Russell Martin.
“He had great life on his fastball and when he throws the slider down, it disappears,” Martin said.
AROUND THE BASES
Smoak’s bat is starting to heat up. He has hit safely in his last 10 games, four off his career best from 2011. While Smoak won’t match his career-high 38 home runs from last season, the 17 he has hit have him on pace for the second most of his career … Quite the road trip for shortstop Aledmys Diaz, who had five homers and batted .357 during the 10-game journey … Marcus Stroman will get the ball in Tuesday ’s opener versus the Boston Red Sox, looking to rebound from one of his dodgier efforts of the season when he allowed seven runs in five innings in Oakland.