Justin Smoak Appreciation Thread

[BigCecil]

Many of us have been frustrated with Gibby not playing Smoak at 1B more consistently.

 

The stabilizing influence of his D can't be underestimated imo. While his range isn't great, his size and sure hands gives the IF a huge target and he can pick.

 

Collabello is so brutal on D. There is no need to play Edwin @1B. With Martin-JD-Tulo-Goins/Travis and Smoak this is a very solid defensive IF.

 

On O he has been inconsistent. Teams feed him breaking balls and change ups, but he is a SH power bat who has upside. His fWAR is only .4

[LTR]

Career 0.1 WAR in 2430 PA's... superb!

[BigCecil]

Career 0.1 WAR in 2430 PA's... superb!

 

Ya. I know. I have google too. I don't think that correlates well to the positive impact he has made on the IF D.

[Dr. Dinger]

I've been impressed with his power and walk rate, considering his inconsistent playing time.

[baubau]

I like Smokey and hope he succeeds. If his bat speed was just 1 second faster, he probably would be a lot better player. Mind you, you can say that about everyone in the league but his swing is so long and slow its painful to watch. If he can ever successfully change and adjust it, he might "breakout". He has a respectable walk rate but a terrible K rate. Till then, he's a bench bat/backup 1B in a ideal team.

[nextyear]

I think that having Justin Smoak at 1B is critical to the Blue Jays winning the East Division. He is one of my favorite players, especially on defense. He also seems like a good guy based on how he treats other players on the team. He didn't seem to complain, at least publicly, when he wasn't getting much playing time.

 

I can't think of anything bad to say about him. (but what do I know, I am just a fan )

[LTR]

Ya. I know. I have google too. I don't think that correlates well to the positive impact he has made on the IF D.

 

It's more a remark about the usage of Smoak. He's not exactly a world killer if you go by WAR and most people here do... therefore complaining about Gibbons not using him all of the time seems somewhat unjustifiable.

[GD]

It's more a remark about the usage of Smoak. He's not exactly a world killer if you go by WAR and most people here do... therefore complaining about Gibbons not using him all of the time seems somewhat unjustifiable.

 

Fwiw, his offensive WAR would likely be higher in normal playing time. The Book showed that irregular playing time has an impact on hitting (through a study on pinch hitting IIRC).

[NLJays]

According to BIS batted ball data, Smoak has a lot of hard contact. Link

 

The hitter who is almost an exact match for his batted ball quality? Jose Bautista. Troy Tulowitzki's very close as well.

 

This year he's even beating Josh Donaldson: Blue Jays sorted by Hard%

[BigCecil]

It's more a remark about the usage of Smoak. He's not exactly a world killer if you go by WAR and most people here do... therefore complaining about Gibbons not using him all of the time seems somewhat unjustifiable.

 

Fwiw, his offensive WAR would likely be higher in normal playing time. The Book showed that irregular playing time has an impact on hitting (through a study on pinch hitting IIRC).

 

Interesting.

[GD]

According to BIS batted ball data, Smoak has a lot of hard contact. Link

 

The hitter who is almost an exact match for his batted ball quality? Jose Bautista. Troy Tulowitzki's very close as well.

 

This year he's even beating Josh Donaldson: Blue Jays sorted by Hard%

 

Yup. There's lots of data that may or may not be out there that says he's quite good. And we can look at hard contact for hitters cause it's mainly a product of what they're doing and not pitchers. Smoak is probably very good and much more valuable than Navarro (and probably Bello)

[Brownie19]

His bat speed is not good, but I do appreciate what he brings to the team. He's hoping they can make some adjustments - as I feel like he has a 2015 Mitch Moreland season in him somewhere. The guy has talent - always highly touted.

[HERPDERP]

Smoak has had A LOT of hard hits that have been hit into the shift. I honestly wish he would pull a Moustakas and adjusted. When he does go oppo, it's always a flyball, just like your prototypical left handed slugger.

[Followthelight]

He has big holes in his swing and is prone to striking out, but he has good power and is good defensively, a good piece for sure, he definitely adds value to this team.

[Ehjays]

It's more a remark about the usage of Smoak. He's not exactly a world killer if you go by WAR and most people here do... therefore complaining about Gibbons not using him all of the time seems somewhat unjustifiable.

 

I agree with what you are saying, but for 1 million bucks and you get good D and some pop he is a bargain and a big part of our team

[Maahfaace]

Smoak has had A LOT of hard hits that have been hit into the shift. I honestly wish he would pull a Moustakas and adjusted. When he does go oppo, it's always a flyball, just like your prototypical left handed slugger.

 

He should just wait for them to set up in the shift, then switch sides on the plate, opposition runs to other side of the field and bam switch em up again. Rinse repeat till defense is tired or they give up the shift on him

[LTR]

Fwiw, his offensive WAR would likely be higher in normal playing time. The Book showed that irregular playing time has an impact on hitting (through a study on pinch hitting IIRC).

 

I totally agree with this but find it convenient that the argument is only used when it is in someone's best interest. For example what is Goins capable of with everyday at bats over the course of a full season? Nobody wants to make that argument because it's taboo around these parts.

[Maahfaace]

I totally agree with this but find it convenient that the argument is only used when it is in someone's best interest. For example what is Goins capable of with everyday at bats over the course of a full season? Nobody wants to make that argument because it's taboo around these parts.

 

He's capable of a sub .600 ops. .....

[Brownie19]

He's capable of a sub .600 ops. .....

 

Exactly. Some players are going to get exposed and do worse playing everyday. Others will improve with consistent playing time.

[LTR]

He's capable of a sub .600 ops. .....

 

lol

[LTR]

Exactly. Some players are going to get exposed and do worse playing everyday. Others will improve with consistent playing time.

 

lol

[G-Snarls]

GJ Smoak

 

What are we going to do with Smoak, Colabello and EE next year?

 

I guess I'll just be happy we have all 3 for now, what with Edwin being off and all

[fireballW]

Posting in support of Smoak. Will continue to wish for him to get near regular playing time. He should never have to sit against a RHP again this year.

[Brownie19]

lol

 

???

[Nafro]

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/toronto/toronto-blue-jay-justin-smoak-s-home-run-ball-winds-up-with-biggest-fan-1.3189035

 

I heard Jerry Howarth talk about this yesterday. Kind of a neat story. I'm not sure if it is linked by someone, somewhere else on the board.

[GD]

I totally agree with this but find it convenient that the argument is only used when it is in someone's best interest. For example what is Goins capable of with everyday at bats over the course of a full season? Nobody wants to make that argument because it's taboo around these parts.

 

IIRC if I did argue against the theory, and it was re: the Goins thing, then I hadn't read The Book (must read!!) yet. Problem is, Goins still sucks with every day at bats lol

[RealAccountant]

At this point he will never reach his potential but he can be a decent peice for a year or two

[Spanky99]

According to BIS batted ball data, Smoak has a lot of hard contact. Link

 

The hitter who is almost an exact match for his batted ball quality? Jose Bautista. Troy Tulowitzki's very close as well.

 

This year he's even beating Josh Donaldson: Blue Jays sorted by Hard%

 

Please post more, thx.

[BigCecil]

Bump. Smoak hitting the ball all over. But into some bad luck.

 

Today playing 1B after Colla yesterday we are a so much tighter team defensively.

[Slade]

f*** wrong Tab.