Josh Smith’s versatility and reliability at the plate have earned him well-deserved recognition. After stepping up for the Texas Rangers in a year marked by key injuries across the infield, Smith was awarded the American League Silver Slugger at the utility position, an impressive accomplishment for a player who adapted to multiple roles with seamless ease.
Smith, now 27, made his mark by hitting .258 with 13 home runs across 592 plate appearances — more than doubling his previous season high. Adding a .337 OBP and a .394 slugging percentage, he closed the season with a .731 OPS. His efforts were officially recognized Tuesday night on MLB Network, where the Silver Slugger Awards, presented by Louisville Slugger, were announced. This award honors top offensive players in each position, with votes cast by MLB club managers and coaches.
This marks Smith’s first career Silver Slugger Award and a milestone for the Rangers, who haven’t had a player win in the utility category since it was introduced in 2022. Smith’s achievement follows recent Silver Slugger wins by Nathaniel Lowe (2022), Corey Seager (2023), and Marcus Semien (2023), creating a three-year streak of award winners for the Rangers, something that hasn’t been achieved since 2010-2012. The Rangers now boast four Silver Slugger Awards in the past three seasons, surpassing their total of three from 2011 to 2021.
Smith’s season was a personal best across all slash categories, home runs, RBIs, walks, runs, hits, and doubles. He ranked among AL hitters in several categories, including times hit by pitch (5th, with 18), doubles (T-17th), and on-base percentage (18th). With runners in scoring position, Smith was clutch, batting .315/.409/.460 (39-124), a mark that put him in the top 15 in the AL for both OBP and BA in these situations. His performance against left-handed pitching was equally impressive; he batted .286/.345/.429 (36-126) — the 4th highest batting average among left-handed hitters facing lefty pitchers, trailing only Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, Cleveland’s Steven Kwan, and Texas teammate Nathaniel Lowe.
Smith’s defensive versatility was on full display as well, with a career-high 149 games played and 135 starts spread across third base, shortstop, designated hitter, left field, and right field. When Josh Jung was sidelined for nearly four months, Smith became the Rangers’ primary third baseman, handling 69 of the 102 games during Jung’s absence.
Named the Rangers’ 2024 Richard Durrett Hardest Working Player, Smith brought consistency to his starts, reaching base in 109 of 135 games, including a 17-game stretch from April 12 to May 2. Although finalists Marcus Semien and Corey Seager didn’t add Silver Slugger Awards to their resumes this season, Smith’s achievement stands as a testament to the depth and resilience of the Texas roster this year.
Smith’s Silver Slugger win celebrates not only his offensive output but also his invaluable role within the Rangers’ lineup, one that showcased his adaptability and rising talent.
