NY Mets: 3 players who have won bigger big league roles next season

3 of 3

Jul 20, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Drew Smith (62) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

Drew Smith has pitched his way into bigger relief innings for the Mets

A lot of Rising Apple writers have had high praise for Drew Smith since 2018 when he first joined the Mets following a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays involving Lucas Duda. Many of us saw what he could possibly bring. A much younger man then, he’s now reaching the prime age for a ballplayer and making the most of it.

Smith is the guy Rising Apple’s Zach Rotman calls the “secret weapon” out of the bullpen next season. I can’t disagree. He has been a dangerous tool for Luis Rojas this year and should be able to do the same in 2022.

Smith has been consistent and reliable in relief for the Mets. Sometimes forgotten because he has had to work his way up the ladder to more high-leverage opportunities, I think he’s a guy we could see get the Miguel Castro treatment i.e. suddenly become a more important player on the roster. Who really saw Castro becoming a go-to reliever for the Mets this year?

Even though he’s not a true homegrown player for this organization, the Mets are the only big league team he has ever played for. It’s nice to see the team actually get some production out of a relief pitcher not brought over via trade of free agency. Possibly on his way to better things, Smith is one pitcher I expect to get a promotion next year. Let’s see if he can hold onto it.

Next. Most memorable Mets games with the black jerseys

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Which other Mets players do you think could have bigger roles on the Mets or another team in 2022?

Home/New York Mets News