Jake Smolinski Stats & Scouting Report

AB	608
AVG	.235
OBP	.299
SLG	.363
HR	16

Full name Jacob Michael Smolinski
Born 02/09/1989 in Rockford, IL
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Boylan Catholic
Debut 07/07/2014
Drafted in the 2nd round (70th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2007 (signed for $452,500).

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A number of third basemen made strong impressions at the Area Code Games last summer. Californians Josh Vitters and Matt Dominguez should be first-round picks in June, while Iowan Jon Gilmore should go in the second or third round. Smolinski also has maintained his status as the best position-player prospect in Illinois. He stands out most for his feel for hitting and for the strength in his 6-foot, 195-pound build. He's also a good athlete--he doubles as Boylan Catholic's quarterback and finished 14th in SPARQ testing at the Area Codes--and has good arm strength. While scouts agree that he'll be a star at Clemson if he attends college, they aren't as sold on his pro future. Some believe he's maxed out physically already and will become a below-average runner as he fills out, limiting his defensive options. Currently a shortstop, Smolinski will have to move to third base or an outfield corner. Some clubs are intrigued with the idea of making him a catcher, where his arm and leadership skills would work to his advantage. His signability is uncertain, so he may not be drafted as high as his talent would warrant.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

When the Marlins sent Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals in November 2008, they received Emilio Bonifacio, pitching prospect P.J. Dean and Smolinski in return. Smolinski had reconstructive surgery on his left knee just before the trade, so he really wasn't 100 percent until 2010. Florida loves Smolinski's mental and physical toughness, as well as his bat. He has a simple line-drive stroke, though he tends to cut it off, making contact at the expense of power. If he can correct that flaw, he has the strength to hit 15 homers per season. Smolinski's plate discipline took a step back early last year, when he got a little too aggressive and had trouble recognizing breaking pitches. He was much better in the second half, drawing 17 walks and striking out just 21 times in 196 at-bats. Smolinski played left field and second base in the Washington system, but he has spent the bulk of his time at third base with the Marlins. It hasn't been pretty at the hot corner--he has trouble reading balls off the bat and gets eaten up by in-between hops. He has an average arm and average speed. A move back to left field may be coming soon, and some club officials would like to try him behind the plate. Smolinski's bat will have to carry him, because he has been a liability in the field. He'll move up to Double-A this year.
Old school in his approach and crew-cut appearance, Smolinski is still working his way back from reconstructive left knee surgery that immediately preceded his inclusion in the trade that sent Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals in November 2008. Smolinski didn't join Greensboro until May, and it took him a while to get back up to speed. He shows strong plate discipline, a solid line-drive stroke and projects to add power. He can handle all pitch types in all areas within the zone, but he has a tendency to cut off his swing, which costs him power for now. His arm and speed are average, and scouts have loved him ever since he was ranked the best position prospect in Illinois as a high school senior in 2007. He rejected Clemson to sign for $452,500 out of the second round. The biggest question with Smolinski is where he'll fit defensively. He played left field and second base in two seasons in the Washington system, then moved to third base last year. At the hot corner, he struggles at times to read balls off the bat and gets caught on too many in-between hops. Some scouts believe he'll eventually have to return to left field, where he could fit into the Chris Coghlan mold. Smolinski needs to get a full season of at-bats, as he lost time in 2007 (broken foot when he fouled a ball off it) and 2008 (broken thumb before he tore up his knee when he got steamrolled turning a double play in instructional league). He'll advance to high Class A this season.
Part of the Scott Olsen/Josh Willingham trade with the Nationals in November, Smolinski must get healthy before he can play for his new organization. His first pro season in 2007 ended when he broke his foot by fouling a ball off of it, and he missed two months last summer with a broken thumb. His worst injury yet came in instructional league, when he got streamrolled while turning a double play and blew out his left knee. Smolinski will miss at least a couple months of the 2009 season following reconstructive surgery, but the Marlins still liked him enough to trade for him. A good athlete who played shortstop and quarterback in high school, he projects as a possible Chris Coghlan type with a bit more pop. Smolinski already has good gap power and should hit more homers as he improves his pitch recognition and adds some loft to his line-drive stroke. He has solid plate discipline. Finding a position for Smolinski could be challenging, as his arm is average and his speed was fringy before his knee injury. Washington played him in left field in 2007 and at second base in 2008. He'll probably start back at second base when he's ready to go at midseason.
Smolinski was the best position-player prospect in Illinois in last year, starring as a shortstop and a quarterback for Boylan Catholic High. Some clubs worried about his signability, but the Nationals landed him in the second round for $452,500. He lacks the range to play shortstop in pro ball, so Washington put him in left field after signing him away from Clemson. His solid pro debut was cut short when he fouled a ball off his foot and suffered a small break. Smolinski should be back to 100 percent by the spring and could move fairly quickly, thanks to his polished offensive approach and blue-collar mentality. His setup and stance are quiet and balanced, and he rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone, instead waiting for his pitch and attacking it with his line-drive stroke. Smolinski has good power to the gaps and figures to hit for some home run power as he matures, though his frame lacks projection. He's a fringy runner who might be better suited to third base or second as he fills out, and his arm is solid average. He figures to hit for average at every stop, starting with a likely trip to low Class A in 2008.