If only spring training stats mattered. If only teams didn’t have their rosters ninety-nine percent set before the first pulled muscle one pitchers and catchers report day.

Based on his performance this spring, Josh Smith deserves to be on the opening day roster. He deserves to be a major leaguer. It’s doubtful that will happen. The Rangers have already made up their minds.

He had another productive at-bat yesterday, coming in for Andy Ibañez in the eighth inning and smashing a two-run, game-tying home run to make it 6-6.

He has appeared in six games, gotten 13 plate appearances, and is now 6-for-9 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. His OPS is 2.214. Again, spring stats don’t matter. But when you are performing at a level that so far and above anybody else, those stats should at least change minds.

Yet, Smith will most likely start the season in Triple-A, where he will mostly likely do what he does. Hit. Make contact. Drive the ball. Then, wait until the usual suspects fail.

Eli White, Willie Calhoun, Leody Taveras, Nick Solak. They have all had plenty of chances. Time to see what other more deserving players can do.

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