Smoak waits out contract negotiations here at home

Don't get him wrong. Justin Smoak likes spending time this summer with his family in Summerville.

But, well, there's another place he'd rather be: A baseball diamond.

"It's definitely different," said Smoak, the South Carolina standout first baseman from Goose Creek. "It's summertime. Usually I'm playing somewhere. It's kind of tough. But I've got to wait it out."

Earlier this month, Smoak was selected 11th overall by the Texas Rangers in the MLB draft. But Smoak's representation, Allegiant Management of Knoxville, Tenn., and the Rangers still haven't come to terms.

In fact, the sides really aren't any closer than they were on draft day. A pair of sources familiar with the negotiations say the club, like many others this time of year, are signing their lower-round picks before moving up to the more pricey top selections.

For being just outside the first round, Smoak's signing bonus is expected to be somewhere between $2-2.5 million.

There's a chance, sources said, that negotiations could go on throughout the summer.

"It could be next week. It could be in August. I couldn't tell you," Smoak said. "It's something I have to go do and go through. I haven't had a summer without baseball in a long time."

So, what's Smoak been doing? If you know him, or know much about him, you won't be surprised.

"Been working out and hitting and fishing and golfing," he said. "It's really all there is to do right now."

He's earned some time off.

Smoak finished his three-year USC career with 62 home runs, 14 more than the previous school record. That mark was good enough for fifth place all-time on the SEC's home run list.

As a Gamecock, Smoak hit .333, with 246 hits in 194 games. Smoak drove in 207 runs, also a USC record. He walked 151 times for another school record.

And Smoak wasn't just a hitter. His .993 career fielding percentage (12 total errors) has scouts believing he'll be a Gold Glover at the major league level.

Smoak was one of three Gamecocks to be selected in the first two rounds of this year's draft. USC shortstop Reese Havens, from Sullivan's Island, went 22nd overall to the New York Mets. Third baseman James Darnell, who also hasn't signed, went in the second round to San Diego.

Havens signed the week after the draft and was assigned to Class A Brooklyn. He's battled an arm injury since arriving, but there was some relief this week when Havens learned he wouldn't need surgery. He's expected back in the coming weeks.

Smoak said he's talked to some of his former teammates now in the minors, including Havens, Will Atwood, Phil Disher and Mount Pleasant's Mike Cisco.

"They say it's different, but it's fun," Smoak said. "(Talking to them) definitely makes you want to go out and play."

But, still, he has to wait.

"It might be a good thing, it might be a bad thing," Smoak said. "Am I enjoying having a break? Yeah. But do I wish I was playing? Yeah."

And, after all, this is the most Smoak can remember being around his family. That's a good thing, yeah, but ...

"I've been home for about a month now," he said as he started to laugh. "I think mom's kind of ready for me to go now."

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