Yankees Finally Sign LSU Star and 2nd-Rounder Josh Smith

The New York Yankees have reached an accord with one of their top draft picks.

The Yanks have struck a deal with LSU star and second-rounder Josh Smith for his slot value of $976,700. Smith was the 67th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Josh Smith, Yankees have a deal. LSU 2B, No. 67 pick overall, gets slot deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 10, 2019

Smith was downright explosive in his junior year with the Tigers. In 257 at-bats, he put up an impressive .346/.433/.533 slash line, totaling 28 extra-base hits and 41 runs batted in.

He's got a bit of a comeback story behind him, too. Smith showed promise in his freshman year, but was then limited for the majority of the 2018 season as he dealt with a stress reaction in his vertebrae. The fact that he was able to piece together such an impressive season after the injury is encouraging.

2nd-rder Josh Smith signs with @Yankees for $976,700 (full pick 67 value). Louisiana State SS, makes consistent contact, 15-HR upside, solid runner & steady defender with good instincts. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 10, 2019

He was previously drafted out of high school by the Detroit Tigers in the 38th round in 2016, but he chose to continue his baseball career in college, and he ended up making quite a name for himself.

Smith's signing means the Yankees have now locked up all of their picks from the first 16 rounds of the draft.

#Yankees agree to deal with 2nd-round #MLBDraft pick Josh Smith for full slot value ($976,700), per @jimcallisMLB. The @Yankees have now secured all of their @MLBDraft picks from the top 16 rounds: https://t.co/GuxgRkbBTE pic.twitter.com/t2cfTI142g
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 10, 2019

The 2017 Freshman All-American's best tool is undoubtedly his hitting. He makes consistent contact from the left-hand side of the plate.

Yankees fans should definitely keep his name in the backs of their minds, because he's got plenty of big league potential.