The chatter around Dominic Smith has not been positive since wrapping up his 49-game MLB stint in 2017. The 22-year-old top prospect had underperformed and is now in a position in which Sandy Alderson isn’t guaranteeing him a spot as the everyday first baseman.

“He didn’t win it in September, let’s put it that way,” Alderson said about Smith in regards to first base at the GM meetings according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

The former first round pick hit .198/.262/.395/.658 with 17 runs, nine home runs, and 26 RBI in 167 at-bats. His defense was also a weakness in 2017 as he had a UZR/150 of -2.8 and -7 defensive runs saved. Overall he was worth a -0.6 WAR according to Fangraphs.

Alderson did not stop there either. He also addressed Smith’s physique which has gotten worse since he was drafted.

“Dominic’s going to have to be careful about his conditioning, certainly in the next few years if not throughout his career,” Alderson said according to Marc Carig of Newsday.

Alderson is usually careful with his words, but it seems like he wanted to light a fire under Smith. Perhaps he expected him to respond well to comments like these.

Smith has indeed responded and it does appear promising

“I’m not taking anything for granted. I know I didn’t perform like I’m capable of,” Smith said Monday on SNY. “I know I didn’t perform how I’d like and I’m definitely going to work my butt off.”

Hitting has never been a problem for Smith in the minor leagues. In five seasons the lefty hit a combined .302/.366/.433/.799 with 276 runs, 40 home runs, and 316 RBI in 539 games and 2,031 at-bats.

For those who want to blame it solely on his weight, he still hit well in Triple-A during the 2017 season. Actually the word ‘well’ is an understatement to what he accomplished with the Las Vegas 51s.

In 114 games, Smith was well on his way to his best minor league season since being drafted in 2013. He slashed .330/.386/.519/.905, scored 77 times, smacked 16 home runs, and drove in 76 runs in 457 at-bats. Of course he played in a hitters’ ballpark, but his excellent results goes to show that the impact of his weight was minimal.

Smith’s response to Alderson was professional and showed a sense of commitment.

“I’m going into spring training to win the job,’’ Smith said. “I’ve overcome odds my whole life. It does motivate me when [Alderson] says stuff like that and he should say stuff like that because it’s the truth. I’m driven. … My time is now.’’

Life was not easy for the first baseman and his family. They lived in South Central (now called South Los Angeles) which has been known for its crime and gangs. Both his parents struggled with drug issues during his youth. Their financial situation was also not very good as they had to go through a lot for their son to get the newest pair of shoes or a nice phone.

“I grew up my whole life beating odds and overcoming odds. I come from LA, I’m from the inner city,” said Smith.

Mechanically speaking, Smith plans to work on his swing and plate discipline during the offseason.

“I feel like once I shrink my strike zone, once I stop chasing those pitches and force them to come to me and take my walks,” Smith said, “hitting gets a lot easier after that.”

In addition to working on his mechanics, he said he will focus on both his diet and training program. It had been a struggle for him in the minor leagues as fast food became the most convenient option for a person got out of work at 11:00 p.m. and wasn’t the best cook.

“In the big leagues you can have anything you want, and I’m going to make sure I make the right strides of eating the right foods, I’m going to make sure I make the right strides of being in the weight room every day and just looking forward to taking care of my body because at the end of the day, that’s all you have,” Smith said.

Smith talks a good game, but he’ll have to play a good one to lock down the everyday first base job. With the Mets showing interest in other first basemen like Carlos Santana and most recently Adam Lind, Smith may not even get the chance to prove himself. If the Mets don’t sign a first baseman however, he’ll get an ample opportunity to prove his worth in spring training.