Josh Smoker

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Josh Smoker

|image = Josh Smoker on September 25, 2016.jpg

|caption = Smoker with the Mets in 2016

|width =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|11|26}}

|birth_place = Calhoun, Georgia, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 19

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = New York Mets

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=August 26

|finalyear=2018

|finalteam=Detroit Tigers

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 4–2

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.35

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 97

|awards =

|teams =

New York Mets ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2018}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2018}})

}}

Joshua Michael Smoker (born November 26, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers.

Early life

Smoker was born in Calhoun, Georgia to Mike, an engineer, and Debbie Smoker.{{cite news|last1=Wagner|first1=James|title=Once Damaged Goods, Mets' Josh Smoker Returns to the Top Shelf|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/sports/baseball/once-damaged-goods-mets-josh-smoker-returns-to-the-top-shelf.html|access-date=April 20, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=October 4, 2016}} As a child, he was an Atlanta Braves fan and dirt track racer.{{cite news|last1=Carig|first1=Marc|title=Smoker fulfills boyhood dream at Turner Field|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/josh-smoker-fulfills-boyhood-dream-at-turner-field-1.12301553|access-date=April 20, 2017|work=Newsday|date=September 11, 2016}}

In 2007, Smoker was rated the eleventh best draft-eligible pitching prospect by Baseball America. As a high school senior, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Georgia after finishing with a 1.24 ERA and 152 strikeouts over 73 innings pitched. He initially committed to play college baseball for Clemson.{{cite news|last1=Svrluga|first1=Barry|title='Let's Go. I Just Want to Pitch.'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/13/AR2007081300918.html|access-date=August 21, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|date=August 14, 2007}}

Professional career

=Washington Nationals=

Smoker was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft out of Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Georgia.{{cite web|url=http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/smoker-drafted-st-overall-by-washingto-sport/article_a41795b5-0940-5053-87a9-5d69b2efddd5.html|title=Smoker drafted 31st overall by Washington Sport|first=Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Sports|last=Write|date=June 7, 2007 }} In 2008, he underwent surgery on a bone spur in his shoulder. In 2013, Dr. James Andrews performed surgery on Smoker to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. With his fastball velocity declining, the Nationals organization released him without him ever having played higher than Class A-Advanced.{{cite news|last1=Guardado|first1=Maria|title=How Josh Smoker went from independent leagues to Mets' bullpen candidate|url=http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2016/02/how_josh_smoker_went_from_the_independent_leagues.html|access-date=August 21, 2016|work=NJ.com|date=February 29, 2016}}

=Rockford Aviators=

After sitting out 2013 while recovering from surgery, Smoker played for the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League in 2014.

=New York Mets=

In 2015, he signed with the New York Mets.{{cite web|url=http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/calhoun_times/sports/local/professional-baseball-smoker-tries-to-make-the-most-of-second/article_6189720e-266e-11e5-a58e-77c939b3342e.html|title=Professional Baseball: Smoker tries to make the most of second chance|first=Alex|last=Farrer|date=July 11, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.pressconnects.com/story/sports/2015/07/10/worthy-josh-smoker-healthy-fun-mound/29981055/|title=Worthy: Josh Smoker healthy and having fun on the mound}}

Smoker was promoted to the Major Leagues on August 19, 2016, and made his debut that day.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2016/08/mets_call_up_lefty_reliever_josh_smoker_demote_jos.html|title=Mets call up lefty reliever Josh Smoker, demote Josh Edgin|date=August 19, 2016 }} He picked up his first Major League win on August 29 after pitching a scoreless tenth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.{{cite news|last1=Botte|first1=Peter|title=Cespedes saves the day! Mets beat Marlins in 10th on Yoenis HR|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/cespedes-saves-day-mets-beat-marlins-10th-yoenis-hr-article-1.2770724|access-date=August 29, 2016|work=New York Daily News|date=August 29, 2016}} In 2017, Smoker was named to his first ever Opening Day roster.{{cite news|last1=Carig|first1=Marc|title=Four Mets enjoy first time on Opening Day roster|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/four-mets-enjoy-first-time-on-opening-day-roster-1.13352101|access-date=April 20, 2017|work=Newsday|date=April 2, 2017}} He was designated for assignment on January 26, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/mets-designate-josh-smoker-for-assignment.html|title=Mets Designate Josh Smoker For Assignment|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=January 26, 2018 }}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On January 31, Smoker was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Daniel Zamora and cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Mets/status/958774719704166401|title=New York Mets on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=January 31, 2018}} Smoker was designated for assignment on July 23, 2018.

=Detroit Tigers=

On July 28, 2018, Smoker was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. He was assigned to the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/07/28/detroit-tigers-sign-lefty-reliever-josh-smoker-dfa-warwick-saupold/856174002/|title=Tigers sign lefty reliever Josh Smoker, DFA Saupold|last=McCosky|first=Chris|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=July 28, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018}} On August 26, 2018, the Tigers called up Smoker and he made his Tigers debut.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2018/08/tigers_josh_smoker_1.html|title=Tigers call up lefty reliever Josh Smoker|work=MLive.com|access-date=August 26, 2018|language=en-US}} On September 6, 2018, the Tigers released Smoker.{{Cite news|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/09/06/tigers-take-flier-claim-outfield-prospect-braves/1217661002/|title=Tigers take a flier, claim outfield prospect Dustin Peterson from Braves|work=Detroit News|access-date=September 7, 2018|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On October 10, 2018, Smoker signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to start the 2019 season. He was released on May 7, 2019.

=York Revolution=

August 9, 2019, Smoker signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic 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 the COVID-19 pandemic and became a free agent after the year.

Personal life

Smoker married his high school sweetheart, Nicole, in December 2014.{{cite news|last1=Helfand|first1=Betsy|title=51s pitcher Josh Smoker and wife, Nicole, balance life on, off field|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/51s-pitcher-josh-smoker-and-wife-nicole-balance-life-on-off-field/|access-date=April 20, 2017|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=July 27, 2016}}