Ed Delany/MMO

Dominic Smith has been inefficiently developed by the New York Mets. There’s no getting around that. The former first-round pick played his way through the organization’s minor-league system only to be perpetually blocked at his natural position — first base — by the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, Jay Bruce, and Wilmer Flores, among others, even as he appeared to be ready for The Show.

After dabbling in the corner outfield last season — presumably, a move half-inspired by the team’s wishes and half-inspired by Smith’s dedication to find himself a long-term spot on the Mets’ 25-man roster — it appears that the Los Angeles, California native has an opportunity to shine this spring at his own position.

As per Tim Healey of Newsday, Mets’ skipper Mickey Callaway confirmed on Tuesday that Smith “will play only first base this spring”. That must have elicited an enormous sigh of relief from the still-just-23-year-old.

Over 574.1 innings at first base over his young major-league career, Smith owns a -8.0 defensive runs saved rating and -2.4 ultimate zone rating, which isn’t exceptional by any means, but his defensive skills are apparent in his play. However, it’s Smith’s buttery-sweet swing that’s gotten him this far, make no mistake about it.

Through six MiLB seasons, Smith owns a .296/.361/.426 slash line with 46 homers, 156 doubles, and 357 runs batted, including a .300/.361/.460 line over two seasons with Triple-A Las Vegas (2017 and 2018).

His .392 weighted on-base average and 134 weighted runs created plus rating over 500 plate appearances with Vegas in 2017 surely had the Mets’ hopes high on a player they chose to select 11th overall in the 2013 MLB Draft. A brief call-up in September of that season resulted in a .198/.262/.385 slash line and nine home runs over 183 plate appearances, which, for what it’s worth, was fairly encouraging.

But due to the signing of Gonzalez last offseason and Smith missing nearly all of Spring Training due to a hamstring strain suffered on the first groundball he ran out in Grapefruit League games, again, he found himself toiling away in Las Vegas.

Smith found success at Triple-A again last season, but not to the extent he had in the past (.319 wOBA, 87 wRC+ over 375 plate appearances). It’s conceivable that the circumstances (injuries, lack of production at the MLB level) surrounding his standing within the organization combined with learning a brand new position were to blame for Smith’s struggles, which is completely understandable.

Now, with a chance to secure an Opening Day roster spot and the slim possibility of a platoon at first with highly-touted prospect Peter Alonso potentially in his future and having done virtually all he can do in the minor leagues, Smith appears ready to show folks he’s ready to take this next step.

“The fans who have seen me play [in the minors] — unless you’ve seen that Dominic, then you haven’t really seen the real Dominic Smith,” Smith told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “I’m excited to showcase my talent this Spring Training.”

“The sky’s the limit. I can hit — I showed glimpses of that last year,” he said, referring to his slightly-improved .224/.255/.420 slash line with the Mets over 149 plate appearances. “When I was up there, I took some of their best pitchers deep. I played some pretty good defense. If I play to my full potential, then I can that on an everyday basis.”

As for the pressure of, yet again, having to fight for a roster spot at the position he was drafted to play six years ago, Smith seems more concerned with keeping an even keel.

“I don’t worry. If you worry, then it’s going to be a combination of doubts and fears, and you’re not going to be able to play well like that,” Smith told DiComo. “If I control what I can control, and that’s playing hard every day and playing my game, then I’ll be the best option there at first base.”

Love the mindset, Dom. We’re rooting for ya.