Prospect getting love for his glove
SAN DIEGO — The Mets, thankfully, have officially turned the page on this disastrous season. It is officially Look Ahead to 2018 Time after the trade of Lucas Duda to the Rays on Thursday.
Duda is going to help the Rays, but when first baseman Dom Smith gets the call to the majors, he is really going to help the Mets.
Smith is silky smooth at first. He makes it all look so easy, but don’t just take my word for it, listen to what Jose Reyes told The Post.
Shortstops know how vital first basemen are to their world and Reyes, who spent some time with Smith in 2016 at Double-A Binghamton, is so impressed with Smith that he spoke these two magical words while discussing him: “Gold Glove.’’ Everyone centers on the shortstop, rightfully so, but infield defense is enhanced when there is a first baseman who can pick it, and that is Smith’s calling card. “I was so impressed with how he plays first base,’’ Reyes said on a night when the Mets again were beaten by the lowly Padres, 7-5 at Petco Park. “He’s a real good hitter, too. But he is so impressive with the glove. He is going to take care of business. Everything looks so smooth and easy for him. “As a shortstop, when you have a first baseman like that, that’s playing heaven. When you have a first baseman like that, who is like a Gold Glove first baseman, you say, ‘Just catch the ball and throw it.’ No matter where you throw it, he is going to pick it up. “You don’t have to worry about anything.’’ Shortstop Amed Rosario will be called up first, probably for the se- ries next week against the Rockies. Smith will get the nod later.
Smith, a 2013 first-round draft pick is The Natural at first base. You can’t underestimate the importance of that, especially when you have a team built on pitching, but there are some things Smith is going to have to stay on top of once he gets to the majors.
One scout who recently saw Smith, 22, said he has tremendous hands, but his range is a bit limited.
“On offense he’s got natural power the other way and can turn on a ball,’’ the scout said.
Sometimes Smith loses his hitting patience and chases outside the zone. The biggest red flag, the scout said, is that Smith has to be extremely careful about putting on weight.
Smith, at 6-foot, 239 pounds, worked this offseason to get in top shape and needs to stay in shape.
“I think he’s going to be good and I hope he turns out to be a 10year All-Star,” Duda said of Smith.
Smith owns a slash line of .337/ .399/.524 and has hit a career-high 15 home runs this season at Triple-A Las Vegas.
“Dom’s having a nice year in the [Pacific] Coast League, which good players do,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “I know he’s a good defender. I know he’s a pretty good hitter. You’ve got to be careful of rating the power of guys in the Coast League. Certainly. He’ll make those adjustments when he gets up here.’’
Asked if he wants some stability at first and have Smith there ASAP, Collins said the obvious: “I don’t make those calls.’’
That is general manager Sandy Alderson’s decision. When Smith gets here, though, he will play.
Reyes likes Smith’s personality as well, saying, he has spent time with him away from the ballpark.
“Dom is a great kid,’’ Reyes said. “We went out to eat. I really like him.’’
“When you bring them up, you got to play them,’’ Collins said. “In today’s age, the development does not stop because they become big leaguers. You need to continue to teach and work on things.
“Young players bring energy,’’ Collins added.
When Smith arrives he will bring a “Gold Glove,’’ and that alone will help the Mets be a better team.
And when Smith is catching those throws from Rosario, that’s when the Mets really will be all in with their new look.