Get to know Yankees 2019 second-round draft pick Josh Smith

Yankees draft second infielder with LSU's Smith

6/4/2019, 4:10 AM
LSU Tigers infielder Josh Smith throws to first base in the third inning against the Oregon State Beavers at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. / Steven Branscombe/USA TODAY Sports
LSU Tigers infielder Josh Smith throws to first base in the third inning against the Oregon State Beavers at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. / Steven Branscombe/USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees drafted their second shortstop of the night when they picked LSU infielder Josh Smith in the second round of the MLB Draft.

Hours after drafting high school shortstop and Vanderbilt commit Anthony Volpe, the Yankees drafted Smith 67th overall.

Smith, who was a 38th-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2016, is among the best hitters for LSU, which advanced to the super regionals of the NCAA tournament.

The 21-year-old Smith leads LSU in batting average (.346), on-base percentage (.436), slugging percentage (.533) and stolen bases (20 in 24 attempts). He has 15 doubles, nine home runs and 41 RBIs 

A 5-foot-10, 178-pound shortstop, Smith was ranked the No. 76 prospect by MLB.com, which touted his ability to use the entire field and control the strike zone, as well as his "good instincts" at shortstop. 

"He's more steady than spectacular at short, displaying reliable hands and solid arm strength," MLB.com wrote. "He doesn't have a true plus tool but he also doesn't have a glaring weakness, and he has a high floor as a good bet to become at least a utilityman."

Smith was limited to just six games as a sophomore due to a stress reaction in a lumbar vertebra, but has returned this year to play in 63 of the Tigers' 64 games.

"He has solid raw power and drives the ball consistently enough to provide 15 or more homers per season," MLB.com wrote. "He has solid to plus speed and the savvy to use it well on the bases."

The Yankees also drafted Missouri LHP TJ Sikkema with their Competitive Balance Round A pick, 38th overall.


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