EXPECTATIONS for 18: Dominic Smith

[Edgy MD]

I'm big, I'm disabled, and my career just hit a weird intersection with the big truck of Adrian Gonzalez parked in front of me. Beyond that, I hear the engines of Peter Alonso revving behind me.

This can't be it. I mean, I'm coming off a pretty good year in AAA. Yeah, I had a crappy average and a lot of strikeouts in the bigs. But the power was there and I had a lot of bad BABiP luck. And yeah, I wasn't fundamentally sound, but come on, that's polish. I can get there.

But the timetable has been revised, as timetables must be. These things are not set in stone, but neither is my detour here. I'm cutting the carbs, smoking less pot, and saying all the right things, even if I did show up late in game one.

So how does this ultimately play out?

[fimg=346:1v2b5zf4]http://content.sny.tv/assets/images/4/8/0/254031480/raw.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=354:1v2b5zf4]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.3405749.1502548245!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_750/830590094.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4]
[fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]http://image.nj.com/home/njo-media/width600/img/mets_main/photo/mlb-new-york-mets-at-new-york-yankees-e7b22f0423f64c28.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/08/12/sports/12mets/12mets-master768.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4]
[fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mIpyRcgnPfwMSz_ZJ_JGmF-w4Bc=/334x135:2223x1584/1200x800/filters:focal(1332x208:1758x634)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57435063/usa_today_10312582.0.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/hr1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=550&h=367&crop=1[/fimg:1v2b5zf4]

Listen to the sizzle!

[youtube:1v2b5zf4]7JbwelDYYFo[/youtube:1v2b5zf4]

[ashie62]

Dominic can always find work as Prince Fielder's "Mini-Me".

[smg58]

It takes a while, but he gets up in June and hits .275/.350/.450 the rest of the way.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The peanut butter in a Gonzo-Alonso Sandwich. He better play good.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Back a couple of weeks before all-star break and sticks as the regular. The
crystal added that a big offensive post season is in the cards, but my crystal
has been a little bonkers the last week or so.

[Edgy MD]

Went 3-4 with a double and a homer in his rehab game with Vegas last night. He'll probably get outrighted as soon as his rehab assignment ends, but a good start is nice to see.

[Edgy MD]

Last night's lineup for Las Vegas:

1. den Dekker, dh
   
2. Asche, 3b
   
3. Smith, rf
   
4. Kivlehan, 1b,
   
5. Borenstein, lf
   
6. Monell, c
   
7. Kelly, ss
   
8. Colón, 2b
   
9. Biondi, cf

Smitty had a bad day at the dish, going 0-3 and stranding four runners, but he did have an outfield assist.

[bmfc1]

Given how Sandy mocked him all winter, I'm surprised that he was able to make it all the way to RF. The alleged "1B of the future" is now OF depth?

[MFS62]

Paving the way to first base for Mr. Alonso.

Later

[Edgy MD]

I don't think Sandy Alderson mocked Dominic Smith all winter.

[Frayed Knot]

bmfc1 wrote: Given how Sandy mocked him all winter, I'm surprised that he was able to make it all the way to RF. The alleged "1B of the future" is now OF depth?

For a team that presently needs OF depth while having many options at 1B, why not?

[bmfc1]

I agree... but I'm concerned about moving an alleged top-shelf prospect during the season (unless their expectations have been lowered and they are ready to promote Alonso).

[Frayed Knot]

I don't have any reason for concern, nor do I think this has anything to do with Alonso.
If this newer, slimmer version of Smith proves even passable in a corner OF spot then it makes him slightly more valuable and maybe also makes him the first choice to be called up if (should I say WHEN?)
another OF goes down as opposed to some AAAA guy off the waiver wire along the lines of the Val Pascucci/Travis Taijeron model.

[smg58]

Unfortunately, right-handed outfielders are the more urgent need. And, since I'm probably not the only one thinking it, that would be a lot to ask of Alonso even if his glove wasn't already his biggest issue.

[MFS62]

smg58 wrote: Unfortunately, right-handed outfielders are the more urgent need. And, since I'm probably not the only one thinking it, that would be a lot to ask of Alonso even if his glove wasn't already his biggest issue.

From what I've read about him, we'd be longing for the days of watching Todd Hundley in the outfield.

Later

[MFS62]

Back at first base today.
Later

[Vic Sage]

i'm sorry, but did you just throw shade at Val Pascucci?? The Big Cootch?
How dare you, sir!