In the 2013 MLB draft, the New York Mets chose Dominic Smith, a powerful left-handed hitter from high school, with their 11th overall pick. Instead of heading to the University of Southern California, where he had initially committed, Smith accepted a $2.6 million signing bonus to begin his professional journey with the Mets.

As a first-round selection, Smith faced significant expectations, which he met by performing remarkably well in the minor leagues before debuting with the Mets in 2017. During his time with the team, Smith displayed his talent, boasting a .246 batting average, a .733 OPS, 46 home runs, 179 RBIs, and 147 runs scored over 447 games.

After the 2022 season, Smith entered free agency and joined the Washington Nationals. He later played with the Red Sox and the Reds before securing a minor league deal with the New York Yankees ahead of the 2025 spring training.

Despite a strong spring performance, hitting .297/.289/.568 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 13 games, he opted out of his contract, hoping to land a major league agreement elsewhere. When that opportunity didn’t materialize, Smith re-signed on March 31 with the Yankees on a minor league contract.

Given the importance of left-handed batters in Yankee Stadium and the extended absence of Giancarlo Stanton due to injury, Smith might seize the chance to play for the Yankees, the Mets’ city rivals, during the 2025 season.