Josh Smoker's winding, sometimes frustrating road results in a big league call-up: https://t.co/WEC0mAowR9 #Mets pic.twitter.com/wgfJ6n72Tp
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 26, 2016
Nine years removed from being drafted, New York Mets pitcher Josh Smoker could finally make his major league debut.
Needing an extra arm for their doubleheader today, the New York Mets called up Josh Smoker from Triple-A Las Vegas. He could possibly make his major league debut in one of the two games today out of the bullpen.
Smoker was a first round draft pick of the rival Washington Nationals back in 2007 but it has not been smooth sailing for him since then.
He has had multiple shoulder surgeries, struggled early as a starting pitcher, moved to the bullpen, then lost his job when he couldn’t make it out of Class A. He then hooked up with an independent league team following his second shoulder surgery.
Last spring, he signed with the Mets, following a free agent tryout.
Smoker slowly started to get back in form, with his velocity nearing triple digits. This year in Triple-A Las Vegas, he has a 4.73 ERA with one save in 43 games, but he’s posted a 0.90 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 10 innings over his last seven appearances.
His recent success has finally brought him to the major league level after being drafted nearly ten years ago. Given the struggles of lefty Antonio Bastardo, Smoker has a window of opportunity to make his presence felt.
How long he will be in the majors, is anyone’s guess, but it would be so great if he can pull off a decent showing with the Mets. Not to mention the fact that they can stick it to the Nats too after his failed stint in D.C.
