Where there's Smoak, there's a pickup

Arlington is a long way from Goose Creek, S.C.

But that's the new home for Justin Smoak, the former South Carolina baseball star, who grew up just north of Charleston, S.C., and got the long-waited "call" to join the Texas Rangers Thursday night.

Ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the minors by mlb.com, the switch-hitting Smoak hit .290 over 386 at-bats in the minors last year, hitting 12 HR and driving in 57. Those numbers won't send you rushing to your computer to hit the "add player" button.

But look a little deeper. Smoak's laser-like pitch selection racked up a .410 on-base-percentage. In 46 at-bats this year, Smoak is hitting .326 with 2 HR and a .500 OBP at AAA Oklahoma City.

Oh, and the power is there. You might not see 30 bombs this year, but one day you will. In 2009 IBAF World Cup, Smoak smack 9 HR in 55 at-bats.

Playing half his games in Arlington is just the ticket to put up 20 HR, 85 RBI and a .295 average the rest of the way. Who couldn't use that?

Of course, all of this was made possible by a second straight Chris Davis flameout. Davis did the limbo with the Mendoza Line, dropping to .188 Thursday night with an 0-for-3 night and 2 Ks, giving him 17 whiffs in 15 games.

If you wanna catch a minute or so of Smoak hitting BP, click the triangle below. He's hitting off Neftali Feliz, albeit not his usual triple-digit gas.