8/17/18

Reese Kaplan -- El Paso Tops Las Vegas 3-2; Dom Smith Interview


Welcome to the first of four games marking the historic final appearance of the Las Vegas 51s here in El Paso.  As we all know, the Mets are moving their AAA affiliate to Syracuse in 2019 and they will no longer be part of the Pacific Coast League. 

The game started off poorly with Scott Copeland quickly giving up a pair of hits (including the RBI single to Francisco Mejia who the Padres stole from the Indians instead of merely looking to dump salary).  

It looked like it was going to be a long night more reminiscent of the Mets than the 51s, but he settled down to pitch dominantly for the next five innings.  Then Copeland ran out of gas and was tagged for two more runs of doubles by Luis Urias and again by Francisco Mejia.  In all Mejia had three hits in the game.

On the Las Vegas side of the ledger there was not much happening.  They didn’t mount much of an attack until the 6th inning but it was not of the baseball variety.  Pete Alonso got plunked by a pitch by Padres starter Walker Lockett.  Considering he had walked Zach Borenstein to start off the inning and Alonso had whiffed in his first two Abs, there didn’t seem to be intention behind it.  However, Alonso mouthed off a bit to the pitcher which was picked up by the 51s dugout.  Soon Christian Colon was tossed by the umpire from his seat on the bench, so he stormed onto the field to have his say.  

When the Chihuahuas didn’t take kindly to Colon’s histrionics, they countered with some loud invective of their own.  Eventually both benches emptied and the 51s came in from the bullpen as well, but like most baseball fights, nothing much happened except some players and coaches getting ejected.

The 51s did mount a little offense via the long ball, including a monster 477 foot shot off the bat of journeyman Patrick Kivlehan and a pinch hit dinger from light hitting catcher Jose Lobaton.  That was how it ended, a 3-2 victory for the hometown Chihuahuas.

One thing that stood out in the game was the at-bats by heretofore shunned Dom Smith.  In the second inning he line a laser to the 2nd baseman which resulted in a somewhat errant throw to 1st base.  Rather than tagging the bag, Chihuahuas 1st baseman Ty France opted to run towards Smith to tag him out.  Dom knew he was a dead duck but decided to have some fun with France, backing up towards the plate forcing France forward.  Finally France’s brain clicked on and he realized he could simply touch the bag  and Dom made it a bit of a foot race.

When Smith returned to the plate in the 4th this time he hit the ball even harder but unfortunately right at the 1st baseman.  Two frozen ropes and nothing to show for it. 

In the 6th Dom hit the ball into what should have been a sure 6-4-3 double play but he busted it down the line and was ruled safe at first.  All of the other writers in the press box were grumbling that he was out and I opined that had this same play happened a year ago he would have been but the dramatic weight loss helped him to become more athletic.

With Brandon Nimmo’s injury today the Mets find themselves potentially in need of an outfielder should he wind up on the DL.  With Zach Borenstein, Bryce Brentz, Matt den Dekker and Ty Kelly not being on the 40-man roster, logic would suggest Smith’s time has indeed come.  With that in mind I asked the clubhouse personnel if they could get Dom to spend a few minutes with me to talk about how his season has evolved.


MacksMets

Dom, we just ran a column on Wednesday suggesting that given the roster status of Peter Alonso that it is Smith who should get the call to play the outfield on a fairly steady basis, particularly with the news Jay Bruce is working out at 1st base.  Did you hear about Brandon Nimmo’s injury today?

Smith

No, what happened?

MacksMets

Apparently he was hit by a pitch so hard that the third baseman threw him out as it has gone down the line as if it had come off the bat.  X-rays were negative for a break but they’re taking it seriously and he’s headed for an MRI which will help better ascertain the extent of the damage.  With another outfielder on the shelf, it would seem logical for the Mets to tap you for another trip to Queens.

Smith

Well, I never want to advance due to someone getting hurt but it’s good to hear that someone still believes in me. 

MacksMets

Dom, I watched you tattoo the ball each of the first two times up with nothing to show for it.

Smith

Actually, that had made 6 consecutive line drives I’d hit that went right at someone.  This year more teams are employing the shift and it’s having some impact on my results.  My exit velocity is as good as ever but last season it was just that Astros and Phillies who did that and they were my worst series. 

MacksMets

How have you felt this year?

Smith

To be honest it was frustrating.  I started off injured and missed an opportunity, then I had to work with whole new coaching staffs in both the majors and minors who weren’t there to see when I hit ..330 last season.  Some folks don’t realize I also had between the minors and majors 25 HRs and 100 RBIs. 

MacksMets

So how do you keep yourself motivated?

Smith

I just go out and work hard to prepare myself for whatever they want me to do.  Some things I can’t control. Yes, I had some fun earlier.  Remember, we’re grown men getting paid to play a kid’s game and it should be fun.  Some folks question my effort because I do things smoothly and it looks like I am not making an effort.

MacksMets

Do you ever spend time talking to Gavin Cecchini (when he’s around – he’s currently still injured) about what it’s like to come in with the 1st round draft pick pedigree and then not getting the same consideration you once did?

Smith

Yes, Gavin and I talk about it and we know we need to do what we can to impress everyone in baseball. 

MacksMets

Thanks for taking the time to meet with me today, Dom.  I really appreciate it.

Smith

Hey, thanks to you, too, and I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.


When you meet Dom, you’re immediately struck by what fantastic shape he’s in and his infectious smile makes you want to root for him despite not having the immediate impact people might have hoped to see. 

*******************************************************************************************

I did also say “Hola” to Gerson Bautista who is rocking an Odell Beckham hairdo.  That man needs a sandwich – he’s very tall and skinny.

I 've got some photos to share as well, but they will have to wait until tomorrow as I'm having some technical difficulties tonight with the transfer and it's already after midnight.

17 comments:

Mack Ade said...

Great interview.

Thanks for the extra effort.

Tom Brennan said...

Excellent update.

We forget Dom Smith had 40 doubles, 25 homers, and 102 RBIs in 2017 at age 21-22. Maybe this is just a screwed up year.

Tom Brennan said...

I hate the shift - only 13 teams hitting .250 or better. Ten hitting from .235 to .242.

Mets, after the offensive explosion of the last 3 games, still one tied for last at .235.

Mack Ade said...

Tom

All anyone ever remembers is 'what are doing for me lately'.

Tom Brennan said...

Smith needs a real HOT streak to regain some traction

Mack Ade said...

Here is his problem

The Mets have 3 heavy contracts not going away... Lagares... Bruce... Cespedes

They also have 2 budding OF stars that talent alone demand them to be played.. Nimmo... Conforto

Lastly they have the best AAA 1Bman killing it with numbers

Smith needed last years stats this year to be either a factor on this or any other team

Reese Kaplan said...

I'm rooting for him.

Tom Brennan said...

Maybe he needs to play more fired up. It's war...he is losing.

Mack Ade said...

Interviews will do this.

It is a cruel business. Room for only one first baseman and 3 starting OFers.

Translate into the MLB: 30 1B... 90 OF

Brian Joura said...

I enjoyed this piece

Mack Ade said...

Brian -

Long time- welcome back

How are you?

Anonymous said...

On the bobble head play in very short left field...

Throughout baseball history that pop up is the shortstop's ball, Rosario. However, with Smith having not ever played much in left field, stuff like that happens sometimes.

Here's a thought...

If Dominic Smith isn't going to be playing first base, and he is having to learn a brand new position (left field), then why not make Dominic something this team has really needed since Paul LoDuca left town, a good hitting catcher. Dominic a catcher? How profound. Maybe.

Okay. It's a little extreme for this early, but how many crappy .223 batting average catchers does one team actually need? A: Eight.

What else with this?

There are like five acceptably good catchers in all of MLB right now. The rest are bad to horrible. Some play a pretty catcher position defensively. Wow. But none can hit worth a flip it seems. I know dead people who hit better! Not kidding.

The available decent free agent catchers will be pricey, simply because there are so few good catchers in the game, every team will want them. The Mets don't do so good bidding high with money.

Beyond the Dominic Smith idea to catcher, maybe down at AAA or AA there is a player there who has some catching experience in their past. Someone who already knows how to hit, maybe even homeruns. Oh my.

There are a number of very decent Mets AAA and AA hitters who won't ever make it up here to start with the Mets. What about them? Would they be willing to try catching again?

Just thoughts from beyond the sarcosuchus graveyard.

Anonymous said...

Miserably continued from above post, if allowed...

So who was I thinking about for this dubious catcher assignment beyond just Dominic Smith?

Maybe one or more from the Kivlehan, Borenstein, Terdoslavich, and Brentz grouping? These four because they all have some things in common. They are 28-29 years old and have not stuck in MLB. They all can hit a decent amount of homeruns. From this grouping maybe there is one or two hungry enough and willing to try. Someone who never complately gave up on their dream to be a MLB player. This is the perfect time to find out.

Look at it this way, Jake deGrom came up to the Mets MiLB a shortstop. That should say it all.

Anonymous said...

On Mets games of very recent...

A number of outstanding offensive explosion type games with big runs having been scored, enough to reach planet Mars when stacked, I believe anyway. And then the very next game, a one run offensive game. What this screams to me is: A. A difference in opponent pitching, perhaps B. Guys are getting tired this late in the season C. What we have here is failure to communicate (Paul Newman, "Cool Hand Luke") D. Actually this tends to be how younger teams all play, at least until they all click and gel as one. Nothing new. Patience advised!

On the bullpen's use of its pitchers...

Remember who should pitch long, set-up, and close. Do not get this too mixed up because it could kill your team's chance of winning. If a guy can only go one inning successfully, then use him one inning. Pitchers are people too, not Gumby or Play-Doh.

This Mets team has not yet found its closer, that I have at least seen and since Jeurys Familia left. Nothing absolute, nothing beyond anyone's doubt.

One guy that gets little use but is good on Boston is a righty reliever named Ryan Brasier. He may be worth a quick look.

Anonymous said...

On Dominic Smith is from Gardena, California. That should tell you that he is probably just a very laid-back person who doesn't get all emotional over every single flippin' thing that happens to him in any one given day. He does not come home sweaty from shopping, in other words.

I'm the same way actually. When I meet an overly emotional man, I check to see if they: 1. Are wearing a skirt 2. Have eye liner on 3. Are wearing a hockey or bicycle helmet 4. Are implanted, if you know what I mean.

To me, overly emotional men are all nuts, no doubt about it. I have never met one that wasn't. Don't even waste your time waiting to find this out either. They just are. Accept it and move on.

Anonymous said...

An Honest Take as to Where this 2018 NY Mets Team Is Right Now

A: I think somewhere between Botswana and the Ukraine. Sidebar note: Ukrainian women are (I think) the most beautiful in the world. The same one Viking must have implanted all their women. Prettier than Hollywood movie starlets even. Not kidding.

Actually, the Mets just need to shore up their 2019 batting order with one or two more homerun hitters (depending on the status of some of their veteran walking dead, I mean wounded. Perhaps add a lefty late inning reliever more (although AA Dave Roseboom is pitching a whole lot better now at AA Binghamton) and finally maybe a new lefty starter depending on whether they stick with "MASH Unit Matz" or not. Everything else is right on goal to me.

Two trades, one free agent signing, and who knows, maybe a catcher with homerun pop? Could it be. But something like that. Possibly send Oswalt and Dunn to Winter Ball to hammer down starting. Lose a couple dozen of Hernandez's cats off the highway, and teach Ronnie how to smile a little, and it's all covered I think.

The rest of this year is the "cloning ground zero." It all starts right here and now.

Anonymous said...

On Player Personalities

The Mets obviously play in New York, Citi Field. New York City is the capitol of many things, some even good too. But it is a crowded jelly bean bottle, perhaps analogous in some ways to a Chicken Farm Warehouse. No need to go into anymore detail, some of you can guess what happens when the total number of chickens (in any one warehouse hierarchy of chickens) exceeds tolerable status. It will suffice to say not too good. But that is NYC.

But everyone has their own unique personality, their own unique way of talking to one another, and some of these personality traits are obviously because of where they come from. NYC is the ultimate melting pot and that is a very good thing I think.

Zachary Wheeler is one of my favorite NY Mets starters. He is from Smyrna, Georgia. I know that area some and can tell you that compared to NYC, it is a lot more relaxed and with a pace more conducive to living longer. There still remains a difference between the north and the south. Just pick the one that you like the best and go with it.

A lot of sports radio and television show hosts (and God bless them all really) do not study all the Mets and Yankees players bio's I do not think). They think that now after 3 1/2 seasons of pitching that Zachary Wheeler has finally found his groove. But actually, Zachary Wheeler has had some strings of very impressive success before, like in 2013 when he first came up.

Dominic Smith is from a very different part of the country too. Los Angeles, California. Home of LeBron James and the Lakers.

What I am suggesting here, is that maybe as NY Mets fans we have to accept players for who they are, and not try to bend and pull them into what we want them to be.

In Dominic Smith's case and after the pop up mix up, I guess the Mets brass were not happy and so they demoted him back down to AAA Vegas. It's kind of a shame really I think, because Dominic had like a cup of coffee playing in Mets outfield and simply made a mistake last night because as he said in his post game interview, "I could not look down from the hit popup to see where I was on the field, or how close Amed Rosario was." This is a very typical and common complaint from any new outfielder, which Dominic is right now. I was impressed by Dominic Smith's honesty.

Tell me, which Mets rookie ever on this team never one time committed a goofy looking misjudgement, error, or miscue? The answer is that there is not one rookie who did not.

Remember Jose Reyes in his second and third seasons here. He had it in his head that he wanted to hit homeruns just like David Wright did. Carlos Gomez ran the bases backwards, but fleetly and flawlessly. And Daniel Murphy struggled in left field too, that first season up back in like 2006. Now, Daniel is what, a perennial All Star second baseman?

Hopefully the Mets will forgive Dominic Smith and get him back up here soon, so that they can take a longer look at him. Hey, why not make Dominic a catcher if it's possible? He can hit and could be worth the retraining. Man, we need a homerun catcher added in here this century.