It’s honestly kind of a bummer when a team loses a player you were rooting for.
When the Texas Rangers signed Josh Smith, I was one of those fans hoping he could stick around. And this is where things get interesting.
He had this reputation as a guy who could hit, right? And he was a catcher, which is a premium position.
But if you’ve been watching the Rangers this year, you know things got messy really fast.
Table of Contents
- Who is Josh Smith?
- Josh Smith Rangers Spring Training: The Hype
- The Concussion Issue
- Josh Smith Release Date & Roster Moves
- What’s Next for Josh Smith?
Here’s the interesting part.
Who is Josh Smith?
Josh Smith isn’t exactly a household name to the casual fan, but for those of us who follow the minor leagues, he’s a familiar face. Now think about that for a second.
He’s been bouncing around a bit—Rays, Marlins, Rangers.
Mostly as a catcher.
He’s got decent pop in his bat, which is rare for a catcher, but the health part? That’s always been the problem.
The Signing
When the Rangers brought him in, it felt like a low-risk, high-reward move. Oddly enough,
They needed depth behind the plate.
Smith was supposed to be that depth guy.
He had a really solid spring training in 2024.
I remember watching some clips of him; he wasn’t striking out much, and he was running the bases okay.
It looked like a solid fit.
Josh Smith Rangers Spring Training: The Hype
Let’s look at the stats from that spring. Here’s the interesting part.
Josh Smith hit .286 with two home runs.
That’s not bad at all.
Usually, you don’t see catchers putting up those kinds of numbers unless they’re taking it easy or the pitching is terrible.
He even stole a base or two, which showed a bit of athleticism.
But then, reality hit.
The regular season started, and the Rangers had guys like Jonah Heim and Evan Carter playing.
It was crowded at the bottom of the roster.
But honestly, even when he was up with the big club, he didn’t get many chances to play.
It felt like he was stuck in limbo.
And this is where things get interesting.
The Concussion Issue
This is the part nobody likes to talk about, but it’s important. Now think about that for a second.
Josh Smith has a history of concussions.
A lot of them.
For a catcher, your head is basically the first thing that gets hit by a foul tip or a collision at the plate.
You can’t play if you can’t think straight.
From what I’ve seen in medical reports, he was dealing with lingering effects from a previous injury.
It makes you wonder if the Rangers knew exactly how much he had left in the tank before they signed him.
It’s a dangerous game playing catchers with a fragile brain.
Josh Smith Release Date & Roster Moves
The bottom line is, the Rangers made a move on July 22, 2024.
They released him.
It stings a little to see it written down like that, doesn’t it? It usually means the player was in the final year of their minor league deal, or they just couldn’t find a trade partner.
It’s a tough situation for Smith.
He’s still young enough to catch, but teams are terrified of the medical history.
The Rangers probably calculated that it wasn’t worth the risk of him getting hurt again and ending someone else’s season on the active roster.
What’s Next for Josh Smith?
So, where does he go from here? I’m sure he’s looking for a fresh start.
A team that’s desperate for offense behind the plate and isn’t as worried about the long-term health aspect.
There are probably a few teams out there, but they’re going to be super careful.
- Look for him to sign a minor league deal again.
- He might have to move to first base or DH eventually if the catching duties get too dangerous.
I hope he finds a home.
The guy can hit.
It’d be a shame if his career ended just because of a few hits to the head.
Monetization Note
If you’re a collector and missed out on his Rangers jersey, you can sometimes find Josh Smith gear on secondary market sites.
They pop up occasionally, especially after a player leaves a team.
Image source: pexels.com
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to say goodbye.
Josh Smith showed promise, but health is the ultimate equalizer in sports.
The Rangers made the business decision, and Smith has to move on. Oddly enough,
Hopefully, he can put the concussions behind him and find a team willing to give him a shot.
Anyway, that’s the rundown on the situation.
Crazy how fast things change in baseball, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Josh Smith released by the Rangers? He was released on July 22, 2024.
- Why did the Rangers release Josh Smith? Primarily due to a concussion history and roster construction issues.
- What was Josh Smith’s batting average in Spring Training? He hit .286 with two home runs.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com
