Ok, the next Keith Hernandez might be a bit much, but maybe not. Jake Seiner of  MiLB.com recently completed his list of  ‘D-Listers’; the top defensive players at each position throughout the minor leagues.  Guess who was ranked number one at the first base position? If you  guessed Dominic Smith, you would be correct.

“Elite” is how a rival front office person described Smith’s defense this off-season, adding he had the “potential [to win] multiple Gold Gloves,” Seiner wrote.

Smith was the Mets’ first round pick in 2013, (11th overall), taken just out of high school.  Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus had this to say about Smith’s defense upon being selected,

“Smith is the rare multi-positional prospect that may ultimately provide more value at the position lower on the defensive spectrum (first base versus a corner outfield spot). At the three spot, Smith boasts excellent footwork and some of the best hands you will ever see in a prep player. He has the potential to grow into the best defensive first baseman in the league.” 

That’s high praise for any prospect, let alone a seventeen year old who was just drafted.

I know Mets’ fans, “We need bats!” is what you are all shouting right now.  Don’t fret. Smith slashed .301/.398/.493 in his pro debut and according to anyone who’s seen him,  his bat profiles a middle of the order hitter.  He’s consistently ranked in the top three first base prospects in all of baseball.  If he advances through the minors like he should, a late 2015, early 2016 debut is not unreasonable.

(Photo Credit: Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)