Dom Smith may be a secret weapon for the Atlanta Braves this season.
The 30-year-old first baseman is having one of the best starts to any season of his career, aiming to help Atlanta win another World Series.
Smith is currently playing the platoon designated hitter position (DH) alongside rookie catcher Drake Baldwin. Smith also serves as a regular pinch hitter on days Baldwin holds the DH spot.
Dominic Smith Batting .381 For Atlanta Braves
The lefty is hitting .381 with an OBP of .400 while slugging .643 and has a 1.043 OPS. Smith has produced all of this in 14 games and 41 plate appearances. Smith has proven to be a valuable hitter and a bonus to the Atlanta offense. He also has experience at first base and can play the position if Matt Olson needs a rest day.
Smith also ranks in the top percentile in expected weighted on-base average, expected batting average, and expected slugging percentage. He also has a very low chase and whiff rate, showing an ability to not swing at balls and make contact with strikes. In a reserve role, Smith could be perfect for Atlanta. He has already homered, including a walk-off grand slam against the Royals. His power and clutch hitting make him one of the best platoon players in the league.
Smith Is A Well-Traveled Reliable Bat
The infielder started his career in New York with the Mets. His best season was in 2020. He finished the season with a .316/.377/.616 slash line and a .993 OPS. He accomplished that in 199 plate appearances with the Mets as a backup first baseman. He has played for five teams since leaving New York in 2023, including a nice stint with the San Francisco Giants. Smith has an opportunity to find a home, at least for a while.
Smith played only one season as a starting first baseman. In 2023, Smith joined the Washington Nationals on a one-year, $2 million deal. He played 153 games and had 586 plate appearances. He finished the season with a .254/.326/.366 slash line and a .692 OPS. His numbers were modest, but he was still a capable and contributive player.
This is the first year the Braves have had a new DH since 2019. For the last six years, Marcell Ozuna was Atlanta’s DH before he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. This year, the position opens up new opportunities. Smith could be the Braves’ new designated hitter for years to come.
Smith was one of the best players in the country coming out of high school, being listed as the No.1 player from California. Committed to USC, Smith was drafted eleventh overall by the Mets in 2013. He signed with New York rather than attend USC, played over four seasons in the minors, and debuted in 2017.
The Braves are still a top team in the league. Braves new manager Walt Weiss’ strategy of platooning players isn’t unusual, and Smith fits into that plan perfectly. He can position himself as an important player for the Braves, helping them reach the postseason with clutch at-bats. For the last few years, Smith has bounced from team to team, but a good year in his current role could help him land another starting spot.
