Charleston, SC | Breaking News, Sports, WeatherSmoak getting ready for spring at The Citadel

By Scott Eisberg
seisberg@abcnews4.com

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Stratford High School and USC graduate Justin Smoak is gearing up for year three in the major leagues.

It's been an up and down battle for the slugger from Goose Creek but he's ready for another campaign, and he's getting ready the same way he always does, by working out with mentor Fred Jordan and his Citadel team before leaving for camp.

"It was a good off season, got a lot of work in, worked out a lot and I feel like I'm ready to go," Smoak said.

Last year was truly a roller coaster ride for Smoak- a great start to his season before taking a leave for the passing of his father Keith, then returning and being sent to the minors and breaking his nose before finishing strong for the Mariners.

"Big thing is stay healthy," he said. "Last year was a whirlwind. I got hurt, and my dad, this year, it's all baseball."

Smoak said he's very excited to get out there and start playing again. As a first-round pick, the talent is all there for Smoak, and the sky is the limit.

"Last year, I got 3/4 the way through and hit a wall. This year, knowing what to expect -- you need to be in shape, strong and ready to play 162 games a year."

In many ways, he is still young -- growing just like his Mariners team.

"We've got a lot of good young talent, and it's good to play with these guys and mesh," he said.

Bottom line is this, Justin Smoak isn't a big time big ego kind of guy. He's a down home kid that loves to play baseball. Major League Baseball can be a grind, and Justin's best bet, not to get caught up in that grind.

"I feel if I just play and just have fun good things will happen for me and that is the goal right now," he said.

And the plan to play and have fun? Smoak says that plan, starts right here at home.