Josh Smoker was starting to look like a real life Bull Durham, spending 8 years in the minor leagues.
Smoker’s early career was plagued by multiple injuries and surgeries, leading to ERA’s north of 4.00 and his eventual release from the Washington Nationals.
2013 to early 2015 were blank on Smoker’s stat sheet with him missing valuable playing time due to surgery recovery. Post-recovery 2015 brought a new opportunity for the former first-rounder, as he got a call from the New York Mets.
Smoker signed with the Mets and played in 41 games between low-A and double-AA, posting an ERA of 3.12 across 49 innings. Smoker was promoted to the Major Leagues on August 19, 2016, and made his debut that day against the San Francisco Giants.
10 days later Smoker picked up his first major league win after pitching a scoreless 10th inning against Miami.
2016 saw Josh Smoker appear in 20 games, posting a 3-0 record while pitching to a 4.70 ERA in 15.1 innings.
Smoker made the Mets opening day roster in 2017, and was a main bullpen factor. Smoker appeared in 54 games and pitched 56.1 innings, but his high ERA of 5.11 led to his eventual DFA and trade over the
2017-2018 offseason.
Josh Smoker was traded to the Pirates and would be out of the league entirely by 2019.