| Josh Smoker | |
|---|---|
 Smoker with the Mets in 2016 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-11-26)November 26, 1988 (age 37) Calhoun, Georgia, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 19, 2016, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 26, 2018, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 4–2 |
| Earned run average | 5.35 |
| Strikeouts | 97 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joshua Michael Smoker (born November 26, 1988) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Mets,Pittsburgh Pirates, andDetroit Tigers.
Smoker was born inCalhoun, Georgia to Mike, an engineer, and Debbie Smoker.[1] As a child, he was anAtlanta Braves fan anddirt track racer.[2]
In 2007, Smoker was rated the eleventh best draft-eligible pitching prospect byBaseball America. As a high school senior, he was namedGatorade Player of the Year for Georgia after finishing with a 1.24ERA and 152 strikeouts over 73 innings pitched.[3] He initially committed to playcollege baseball forClemson.[4]
Smoker was drafted by theWashington Nationals in the first round of the2007 Major League Baseball draft out ofCalhoun High School inCalhoun, Georgia.[5] In 2008, he underwent surgery on abone spur in his shoulder. In 2013, Dr.James Andrews performed surgery on Smoker to repair a tornrotator cuff andlabrum. With hisfastball velocity declining, the Nationals organization released him without him ever having played higher thanClass A-Advanced.[3]
After sitting out 2013 while recovering from surgery, Smoker played for theRockford Aviators of theFrontier League in 2014.[3]
In 2015, he signed with theNew York Mets.[6][7]
Smoker was promoted to the Major Leagues on August 19, 2016, and made his debut that day.[8] He picked up his first Major Leaguewin on August 29 after pitching a scoreless tenth inning against theMiami Marlins atCiti Field.[9] In 2017, Smoker was named to his first everOpening Day roster.[10] He was designated for assignment on January 26, 2018.[11]
On January 31, Smoker was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates forDaniel Zamora and cash considerations.[12] Smoker was designated for assignment on July 23, 2018.
On July 28, 2018, Smoker was claimed off waivers by theDetroit Tigers. He was assigned to the Tigers'Triple-A affiliate, theToledo Mud Hens.[13] On August 26, 2018, the Tigers called up Smoker and he made his Tigers debut.[14] On September 6, 2018, the Tigers released Smoker.[15]
On October 10, 2018, Smoker signed a minor league deal with theLos Angeles Dodgers. He was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to start the 2019 season. He was released on May 7, 2019.
August 9, 2019, Smoker signed with theYork Revolution of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the 2019 season. On April 6, 2020, he re-signed with the Revolution for the 2020 season. Smoker did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the ALPB season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year.
Smoker married his high school sweetheart, Nicole, in December 2014.[16]
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