The most recent memory of actual Mets baseball we have is Dominic Smith hitting a dramatic walk-off, three-run homer to beat the Atlanta Braves in the regular-season finale last September after missing nearly two months with a stress fracture in his left foot.

It might be hard to top a moment like that, but Smith appears to have every intention of doing all he can to create some more magic.

The 24-year-old former first-round draft pick (11th overall, 2013) out of Junipero Serra High in Gardena, California made the Mets’ Opening Day roster last season to platoon with Pete Alonso at first base — a triumph in its own right considering Smith’s struggles at the major league level up until that point (.210/.259/.406 over 332 plate appearances from 2017 to 2018).

That scenario didn’t last long due to Alonso’s atmospheric breakout, but Smith stuck around as a bench cog and produced in that role, hitting .362/.471/.534 with four doubles and two home runs over 70 plate appearances from the beginning of the season through the end of May.

Smith rode that hot streak at the plate through the middle of June (.323/.382/.613 from June 1 to June 16; 34 PA), but his production fell off sharply shortly thereafter (.207/.250/.448 in 92 PA from June 17 through July 26, his last game before hitting the IL), presumably due to his worsening condition.

Seeing as his expected playing time at first was dramatically reduced in light of Alonso’s tightened grip on the position, Dom began seeing time in the outfield toward the end of May after successfully lobbying the team to allow him to expand his defensive horizons.

There were natural ebbs and flows to the process — that loss to San Francisco in mid-July still stings a bit — as far as Smith’s fluctuating level of defensive acuity at a new position (-3 outs above average in left, per Statcast). But, clearly, he’s making every attempt to continue to improve that facet of his game.

As was noted during his show-stealing appearance during ESPN’s All-Access broadcast earlier this week, Smith feels much more comfortable in left field this spring as compared to taking reps out there in the past. That seems encouraging.

From Port St. Lucie in mid-February (via New York Post), Mets first-year manager Luis Rojas seemed genuinely pleased with Smith’s outfield work this offseason, as well.

“Dom’s got great defensive ability and I think he did a good job in the offseason,” Rojas said Wednesday. “We talked about him working, movement and agility, and I saw him taking good steps off the bat [Wednesday] and being efficient in some routes there. I would like him to keep that versatility and keep throwing more in the outfield like he’s been doing.”

While speaking with Maggie Gray and Marc Malusis of WFAN earlier this week, Smith gave a glimpse into his mindset heading into the new season and the ongoing process of his progression as a player.

“[Spring Training has] been going good, you know, just trying to adjust to the outfield and just get my work in every day,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m getting there with my swing, and it’s getting better, been working on some things this offseason so I’m excited to see that development and see how that keeps playing off this spring.”

On a Mets roster chock-full of talented, versatile ballplayers, where does Smith fit into the plans for 2020? Well, until Jed Lowrie returns or unless Luis Guillorme makes the Opening Day roster in a utility role, Smith stands to enter the year as the only left-handed bat on the bench.

Smith hit .286/.459/.571 in 37 pinch-hitting plate appearances last season, and his platoon splits from 2019 reveal competence against righties (.278/.354/.528, 161 PA) or lefties (.303/.361/.515, 36 PA), so he appears to be well-suited for the role and, as per the player himself, excited to help the team in any capacity.

“I know that, for sure, I’m gonna get into a lot of games just because of being in the NL and I’m gonna pinch-hit a lot and just work from there,” he said. “Whatever opportunity or position the team puts me in, I’m gonna be ready […] Our goal is to make it to the playoffs. We need 25 guys [26 now, Dom] here committed to do that. I feel like each person here, we have our own weight to pull I think if we all pull in the right direction this team can accomplish our goals.”

A selfless attitude and talent on both sides of the chalk? Dom Smith is the ultimate team player and is figures to be a strength on this roster and in the clubhouse.

Check out Dom’s full interview with Moose & Maggie (WFAN link above), it’s really a treat.