Smoak played high school ball along with Matt Weiters in Goose Creek, SC - about 5 miles from where I went to college.

I have been able to follow him since his senior year of high school and have seen him play at least once every year, so I feel like I have a good idea about his progression as a player.

Background/Career:

Out of high school, Smoak was drafted in the 16th round by the A’s. He wanted $1 million to sign, and the rumor was that the A’s held firm at $950,000 (ouch Oakland). Read the rest of this entry »

The South Carolina Gamecocks picked up their third win in their last four games with a 12-3 victory over intrastate rival The Citadel. Justin Smoak led the Gamecocks by picking up his 16th homer of the year while Phil Disher went 3-3 with an RBI. South Carolina starter Mike Cisco pitched seven strong innings while striking out ten Bulldog batters to up his record to 4-2. Chris McGuinness started for the Bulldogs but labored through two innings while giving up three runs on five hits. His record evens at 2-2 on the season.

South Carolina Recap
The Citadel Recap

Justin Smoak of University of South Carolina is still bitter about losing to Georgia in a Super Regional in 2006. After the season, Justin heading up to Cape Cod and was named the top pro prospect in the league. He does not want to be remembered as a great baseball player but as a great person. The article is available here.

Justin Smoak also did an interview with my buddies over at Codball which can be heard and read here.