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Mets prospects primed to make an impact in 2021

By Adrian Cervantes

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets throws a warm-up pitch during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Mets 9-6. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets throws a warm-up pitch during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Mets 9-6. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Kevin Smith #84 of the New York Mets poses for a photo during Photo Day at Clover Park on February 20, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Mets prospect Kevin Smith

The same sentiment that rings true for Thomas Szapucki, rings true for 23-year old left-hander Kevin Smith, as left-handed pitching is always in demand at the Major League level. The southpaw from the University of Georgia has been sneaking up on many people’s radar over the past couple of seasons, since being taken by the Mets in the 7th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

In his debut season with short-season Brooklyn, Smith had posted a 0.76 ERA over 23 2/3 innings. The former Georgia Bulldog carried that success into 2019 at both High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. Last season, Smith had posted a 3.45 ERA over 23 starts and 117 innings combined between both levels with 130 strikeouts.

Smith is no longer taking many by surprise in the organization after receiving high praise from many in Spring Training. Currently, Smith is ranked as the twelfth ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline and is a member of the Mets 60-man player pool in Brooklyn.

The word that best describes Smith his versatile. In Smith’s junior season at the University of Georgia, he spent both the beginning and the end of the season in the Bulldogs rotation. During the middle of the season, he was used as the Bulldogs main weapon out of the bullpen which allows him plenty of versatility to find a role at the big league level.

With Smith’s trajectory continuing upward there may be a role available either in the starting rotation in case of an injury or in the bullpen due to his effectiveness against left-handed hitters. Last season left-handers only hit .207 against the southpaw, which could bode well for him if the Mets are looking for an in-house replacement for left-handed reliever Justin Wilson this offseason.

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