Dominic Smith 

Player Data: Age 25, B/T: L/L
Primary Stats: 50 G, 199 PA, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 14 BB , 45 SO, .316 BA, .377 OBP, .616 SLG, .993 OPS
Advanced Stats: .368 BABIP, .412 wOBA, 165 wRC+, 169 OPS+, 1.8 fWAR, 1.7 bWAR, -1 OAA at 1B, -2 OAA in LF
Free Agent: 2025
2020 Salary: $578,826

Grade: A-

2020 Review:

Dominic Smith‘s 2019 season showed that if given the opportunity, he could produce at a high level. Despite only playing 89 games, Smith hit .282/.355/.525 with 11 home runs and 25 RBI. Due to him being a natural first baseman turned utility player, Smith’s fielding stats have wavered as he struggles when placed in left field.

At the beginning of the 2020 season, Smith was fighting to rack up plate appearances, especially with Yoenis Cespedes taking the designated hitter at-bats early on. Once Cespedes opted out of the season, Smith got the opportunity to shine. He ended up finishing the year ranking at 12th or better in batting average, RBI, slugging percentage, OPS, and doubles across the MLB.

The 25-year-old’s name has been tossed around in trade talks on more than one occasion, but the Mets are definitely thankful that the former first round pick is still representing the team.

With much of the lineup struggling to produce offensively, Smith came in clutch with 15 multi-hit games. Much of this success came from an increased power in his bat, with his hard-hit percentage rising from 34.8% in the 2019 season to 46.7% in the 2020 season.

In 2019, Smith posted a positive bWAR (0.7) for the first time in his career. For this breakout campaign, Smith produced more than double his 2019 numbers in almost the same amount of plate appearances, as he registered a 1.7 bWAR. He was the only player in baseball with 42 or more RBI in under 200 plate appearances.

Another area where Smith was able to showcase his talents this year was at first base, as Pete Alonso‘s struggles in the shortened season opened up playing time at his natural position. With Alonso becoming the primary DH down the stretch, Smith helped sure up the defense at first base.

While he gives great effort out in left field, it is clear that Smith is not suited to play that position long-term. Still, the defensive metrics graded him as a subpar fielder at first base this year as well, but we know Smith has the potential to excel in the infield. Also his -1 OAA at first base was still better than Alonso’s -3 OAA.

Offensively Smith would be rated at an A+ for obvious reasons, but his defense ultimately knocks he grade down a bit.

2020 Key Moment

Dom Smith didn’t really have one big moment in 2020 that set the tone for his season, instead here’s a video that compiles all 56 hits of Smith’s 2020 season which includes the 42 runs batted in, being one of the only Mets players in the 2020 season who were able to translate runners on base to RBI.

Smith has been recognized as a finalist for the Hank Aaron award which is given to the best offensive player in each league.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq3QSBznaHc

2021 Outlook

Due to the Mets still having Pete Alonso as their regular first baseman, Dominic Smith’s status going into the 2021 season is still up in the air. One of the scenarios Smith could find himself in is, being a utility player, starting in left field as Alonso starts at first.

Another possibility with the likelihood of the universal DH here to stay in the National League, Smith could be the team’s more frequent DH, occasionally rotating to first base or left field if need be with Alonso needing off days. The least likely of the possibilities due to the franchise’s faith in Alonso, but probably best decision for the team, is Smith starting at first and Alonso being the primary designated hitter.

The Mets can’t really afford to lose the bats of either young player, yet Smith is much more reliable and could benefit the team more than Alonso could defensively.

No matter the situation he is placed in, what is known is that Smith will do what he does best and show the Mets as well as the MLB what he is made of. He is going to make the most out of his talent, while bringing the team radiant positivity.