PORT ST. LUCIE — Josh Smoker was on the fast track, long before he became a first-round draft pick of the Nationals in 2007.
Smoker raced cars. Quarter-midgets, late-models and raced on dirt tracks until he was 15 and then focused on pitching.
Now Smoker is racing around the Mets facility, excited for spring training to begin in a few short days.
After so much hardship, and shoulder issues, he finally made it to the majors last season and this year the lefty, who was clocked at 100 mph at Triple-A Las Vegas last season, could play a significant role in the Mets bullpen.
Included in his comeback was a stint in the Frontier League for the Rockford Aviators in 2014 following 2012 shoulder surgery. The Mets signed him in 2015.
“Because it had been such a long road and it had taken almost 10 years to get there, it was definitely a lot more sweet and made it all worth it,’’ Smoker told The Post on Wednesday of making the majors last season and producing a 3-0 record in 20 relief appearances. Over 15 ¹/₃ innings he struck out 25 and walked just four.
Smoker, 28, admitted there were numerous times through the years when he thought about giving up on his dream.
He never did. All because of family.
“They knew that somewhere inside of me that I still wanted to play,’’ Smoker said. “Even though there were times I was really down on myself, they were not going to let me give up that easy.’’
His wife, Nicole, and his parents, Debbie and Mike, kept him strong. When Josh made his major league debut Aug. 19 in San Francisco against the Giants they were all in the stands at AT&T Park, and his dad was in tears.
“Every time I got hurt, every time something bad happened to me during my career, my parents were right there with me,’’ Smoker said. “My dad is very emotional. They’ve been through everything I’ve been through and when I finally got that call, it was just as sweet to them as it was to me.’’
Mike Smoker’s company makes parts for race cars. Racing came natural to Josh and he believes it helps him on the mound.
“I did a lot of stuff,’’ he said of his racing days. “You have to really focus, there is no down time where you can lose your focus and that is much like pitching. Even when it is under a yellow flag you still have to focus. It comes at you fast and pitching is kind of the same way. You really don’t have time to react, it comes down to all the training you put in. You just go after it.’’
That’s why Smoker, who grew up in Calhoun, Ga., is here early. That’s why he hits the weight room hard. That’s why he has such a positive attitude.
“I love to get in the gym as much as I can,’’ Smoker said. “The guys like to give me a hard time. It’s always been a passion of mine.’’
At 6-foot-2, he weighs in at a solid 255 pounds.
Smoker found his control with the Mets under the tutelage of minor league coach and former major league pitcher and manager Phil Regan.
Smoker’s fastball sits at 95 to 98 mph. Regan helped Smoker improve his command and that made all the difference.
“In the past I’ve always been kind of a wild child as far as where the ball was going. Now I can spot my fast ball,” Smoker said.
“Phil is the greatest, he smoothed out my delivery and made some minor tweaks and it made all the difference in my command. There is nothing that guy hasn’t been through, he has so much knowledge of the game, it’s absolutely incredible. I am so pumped for this year. I got to know the guys. This team is phenomenal. I can be myself. You can talk to any of these guys and they help you.’’
Now, it’s all about winning the race.
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