In a 2025 season where the Texas Rangers were largely defined by inconsistency and underperformance, Josh Smith quietly delivered one of the more underappreciated campaigns in the American League. He wasn’t the flashiest name in the lineup, nor the loudest in the box score-but what he brought to the table, day in and day out, was versatility, dependability, and a steady bat that helped keep the Rangers afloat in some trying stretches.
Smith’s profile fits the modern utility man mold to perfection. Need him at shortstop to cover for Seager?
No problem. Third base?
He’s got it. Move him to the outfield, slot him wherever in the lineup, count on him for solid at-bats-Josh Smith answered the bell every time.
That adaptability isn’t just useful anymore; it’s essential in today’s MLB, where roster spots are as much about flexibility as firepower.
Across the league, we’re seeing a surge in the impact of utility players, and Smith is right there in that conversation alongside guys like Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman, Maikel Garcia, and Zach McKinstry-players who rarely get top billing but often prove vital over a 162-game grind. Smith’s .251/.335/.366 slash line might not jump off the page, but in a Rangers lineup that was riddled with inconsistency, those numbers represented a rare point of stability. He chipped in 23 doubles, 10 home runs, and 35 RBIs, and while the power output was modest, his presence was ever-reliable.
So when it comes to postseason recognition-specifically the American League Silver Slugger Award for utility players-it’s understandable that Smith might fall short. The bar has been raised significantly, and in 2025, both Maikel Garcia and Zach McKinstry may have simply raised it too high for Smith to leap.
Let’s start with Garcia. The Royals’ Swiss Army knife put together a career-best season that didn’t just put him in the Silver Slugger conversation-it likely lands him on a few MVP ballots as well.
His .286/.351/.449 slash line was bolstered by 39 doubles, five triples, 16 home runs and 74 RBIs. Those are big-boy numbers for someone who still managed to log games all across the diamond-even if his 229 utility innings were the fewest of the contenders.
Offensively, though, he separated himself from the field.
Then there’s McKinstry, who offered something closer to Smith’s style-only with a few more offensive punch cards punched. For Detroit, he slashed .259/.333/.438, knocking 23 doubles, 11 triples, 12 homers and driving in 49 runs. Like Smith, McKinstry was a true utility man in every sense-playing wherever and whenever needed-but he added just enough thump to give himself the edge.
That’s the challenge with this award: it doesn’t only recognize versatility-it rewards production too. And in 2025, Garcia and McKinstry brought both in spades. Smith, admirable and consistent as he was, just didn’t have the same offensive output.
Still, what Josh Smith put together this season shouldn’t be dismissed. The emergence of the utility player as a legitimate force on contending clubs highlights just how valuable his role really is.
No longer just backup pieces or lineup stop-gaps, these guys are now shaping outcomes and elevating their teams beyond injury setbacks and lineup shuffles. They’re part of the engine, not just the spare tire.
Smith may not end up with the trophy this time, but that doesn’t diminish what he did for the Rangers. He gave them options.
He gave them coverage. And on more nights than not, he gave them quality innings at the plate and in the field.
There’s every reason to believe he’s part of the long-term puzzle in Texas. With more seasoning and perhaps a bit more pop at the plate, he’ll be in the Silver Slugger conversation again soon. This wasn’t his year to take home hardware, but it was the kind of year that keeps you in the mix-and for a player like Josh Smith, that speaks volumes.
