Three Mets players we should expect a career year from in 2021

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Feb 25, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith (2) walks to a practice field during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets left fielder Dominic Smith

There won’t be a DH this year but that doesn’t mean Dominic Smith will be wasted on the bench. Now free to get at-bats every single day, Smith is our final candidate to have a career-year with the Mets.

Smith has yet to reach 200 plate appearances in a single season so it’s easy to understand why he’s here. His first two seasons were horrific but Smith seemed to discover himself at the plate in 2019. As a part-time player who missed most of the second half, Smith still managed to bat .282/.355/.525 with 11 home runs and 25 RBI. He followed it up with a .316/.377/.616 performance last year complete with 10 home runs and 42 RBI.

Smith has entered hostile territory. The hostilities are versus opposing pitchers.

There’s no reason to believe Smith will suddenly fall off from his quick ascension from a guy who looked like a failed prospect to a potential All-Star. Smith needs to hit. The Mets found a way to get him at-bats and unless he’s not hitting, there’s no reason to sit him down.

I’m most curious to see what type of hitter Smith develops into. Down in the minors, he hit for average much better than he did power. Based on what we saw during the last two seasons, it looks like he might be able to do both.

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Put it in marker, pen, and maybe even etch it into stone—these three Mets are about to have seasons we haven’t seen from them before.

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