You might think it’s hot in Las Vegas because of the sun, or even the desert climate. In fact, Dominic Smith is so hot right now that he’s heating the surrounding landscape.
In July, Smith has a 1.179 OPS which has raised his season slash line to a healthy .339/.392/.528. He has 15 home runs, 30 doubles and 68 RBIs in 101 games.
He is a career .303/.367/.433 minor league hitter, but his current season has him setting new personal highs in more categories than just average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. He’s already hit more home runs (15) in 444 plate appearances than he did in 542 PA last season (14) as well as more doubles – 30 this season, 29 in 2016.
He currently has 138 hits, compared to 146 last season. He has more hits than anyone in professional baseball at any level. Playing at least his first 101 games in the minor leagues, Smith has a fair-to-decent chance at a 200-hit season. No matter what climate you play in, that’s impressive.
With the trade deadline steadily approaching, every hit Smith notches is another nail in Lucas Duda‘s coffin in terms of his time with the New York Mets. Scouts are divided on whether or not Smith is ready for a call-up, and some even say he won’t be a good Major League player at all. We will not know until his call-up which, most likely, will be on or around August 1st.
