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.
I have never been overly excited about Smith, due in large to my own belief that you don’t draft a first baseman in the top half of the first round. But will admit that I am warming to him. Looking forward to seeing him against AA pitchers
Very encouraging.
Very excited about our future 1st baseman…hopefully end of 2017…gap to gap hitter with great glove, can’t get here soon enough.