Justin Smoak was one of the top prospects in baseball when he was drafted 11th overall by the Rangers in 2008, but he’s disappointed his first two seasons. The 25-year-old first baseman is hoping an improved diet will lead to a turnaround with the Mariners this season.
“I gave up bread, ate almost entirely meat and vegetables – and working out two hours a day, four days a week didn’t hurt,” Smoak told The Tacoma News-Tribune. “My wife loved it, because she always ate well and worked out.
“I gave up Mexican food – man, I could crush burritos,” he said. “And pizza. I could crush those, too.”
Smoak says he’s in better shape and like the way he was in college when he won Player of the Year for South Carolina in 2004 and 2005. You have to wonder why he allowed himself to fall out of shape, but it’s good that he’s back to the way he was. At least he didn’t say he’s gone vegetarian, otherwise the label would have stuck forever like it did with Prince Fielder, who returned to eating meat a few months after the story came out.
Forearm bash to Hardball Talk
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