MLB Pipeline released their Minor League All-Defensive Team with Mets prospect Dominic Smith being selected as the first baseman. The eight man defensive team also included Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Byron Buxton, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia, and Pirates catcher Reese McGuire.
Smith has been receiving rave reviews for his defense all year from a handful of different outlets. He was named the best defensive first baseman in the Florida State League in a poll that Baseball America did in August.
What MLB Pipeline had to say about Smith:
Has great hands and footwork around the bag to go along with an accurate arm. Infielders are going to love throwing to him at the big league level.
Smith is coming off the best season of his young career in which he hit .305/.354/.417 on his way to being the Most Valuable Player in the Florida State League. He led the league with his 33 doubles and 79 runs batted in.
He hit well for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League as well with a .362/.483/.511 slash line. He was nominated to the fall league All-Star team and part of MLB Pipeline’s All-Prospect Team for his performance in the league.
Here is what MLB.com’s Bernie Pleskoff had to say about Smith and his defense after seeing him in the fall:
Smith has the throwing arm of a pitcher that can hit the mid-90s with his fastball. He has the athletic ability, range and agility to play quality first base. Smith’s reaction time and his footwork are very good around the bag.
Everyone I have talked to about Smith has raved about his defense at first base including teammates from 2015. They all talked about the luxury of having a guy at first that they knew could bail them out if they made a bad throw.
For more minor league coverage head over to MetsMinors.net including the news that Brooklyn Cyclones manager Tom Gamboa will return for 2016 season.
