Dominic David Rene Smith Bio
Dominic David Rene Smith is an American professional baseball first baseman and left fielder who has played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. The New York Mets selected Smith with the eleventh overall pick of the 2013 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut in 2017. Over his MLB career, Smith has accumulated 75 home runs and 324 runs batted in while establishing himself as a versatile defender at multiple positions. His career has included periods of significant offensive success alongside challenges with consistency and injuries that tested his resilience in professional baseball.
Early Life and Background
Smith was born on June 15, 1995, and grew up in California where he participated in Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy during his youth. These programs provided foundational development opportunities that helped shape his path toward professional baseball. He attended Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California, where he played first base, outfield, and pitcher for the school’s baseball team.
Smith led the Cavaliers to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section division championship in 2013. He committed to attend the University of Southern California following his high school graduation. Smith comes from a large family with seven children total. His mother, Yvette LaFleur, worked in child care and his father, Clay Smith, works as a dog trainer and groomer. His parents lived separately while raising Dominic.
Path to Major League Baseball
The Mets selected Smith in the first round with the eleventh overall selection of the 2013 MLB Draft. Rather than attend USC, he signed with the Mets for a $2.6 million signing bonus. The organization assigned him to the Gulf Coast League where he batted .287 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 48 games. Baseball America named Smith as the fourth-best prospect in the Gulf Coast League for 2013.
Smith spent 2014 with Single-A Savannah where he struggled, recording just one home run and 44 RBIs in 461 at-bats. He rebounded in 2015 with High-A St. Lucie, earning Florida State League Player of the Month honors in June after leading the league with 79 RBIs and 33 doubles on his way to being named FSL Player of the Year. In 2016 with Double-A Binghamton, he posted a .302 batting average with 14 home runs and 91 RBIs while playing in the All-Star Futures Game.
Dominic David Rene Smith Career
New York Mets (2017-2022)
The Mets promoted Smith to the major leagues on August 11, 2017. He made his debut that night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, recording a single for his first hit off Nick Pivetta. Smith hit his first major league home run on August 15 off Sonny Gray. He finished the 2017 season with a .198 batting average and nine home runs in 167 at-bats.
In spring training 2018, Smith competed with Adrian Gonzalez to be the Mets’ starting first baseman but missed most of spring training due to a quadriceps injury. He split time between Triple-A and the majors throughout the season, batting .224 in 143 at-bats for the Mets. In 2019, Smith made the Opening Day roster and began what was described as a breakout season, playing both first base and left field. He placed on the injured list in late July with a stress fracture in his foot. He returned for the final game of the regular season on September 29 and hit a three-run walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves in the bottom of the 11th inning, leading the team to a 7-6 victory.
In 2020, Smith received increased playing time following Yoenis Cespedes’ decision to opt out of the shortened season due to COVID-19 concerns. He enjoyed another breakout performance, batting .316 with a .993 OPS, 10 home runs, and 42 RBIs in only 177 at-bats. His .616 slugging percentage set a franchise record for the shortened season. Following the 2020 season, Smith was named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award and finished thirteenth in National League MVP voting. Writing for ESPN.com, Sam Miller named Smith the 25th-most entertaining player in baseball.
The 2021 season proved to be a significant setback for Smith. He batted .244 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs while playing primarily left field. In March 2022, he revealed he had suffered a partially torn labrum in late May or early June 2021 but had played through the injury, which affected his swing. The Mets acquired multiple players at his positions during the offseason, and Smith struggled for playing time throughout 2022. He was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse in late May and spent time on the injured list with an ankle sprain. The Mets declined to offer him a contract after the season, and he became a free agent on November 18, 2022, ending his tenure with the organization.
Washington Nationals (2023)
On January 4, 2023, Smith signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Washington Nationals. He played a career-high 153 games for Washington, batting .254 with a career-high 12 home runs and 46 RBIs. On November 14, the Nationals designated him for assignment after adding prospects to the 40-man roster. He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 17.
Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds (2024)
Smith began 2024 with minor league contracts to the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays, playing 21 games for Triple-A Durham before each stint ended when he triggered opt-out clauses. On May 1, he signed a one-year major league contract with the Boston Red Sox. In 83 games for Boston, he batted .237 with six home runs and 34 RBIs before being released in August. The Cincinnati Reds signed him later that month, and he appeared in nine games before becoming a free agent in September.
San Francisco Giants (2025)
On June 4, 2025, Smith signed a one-year major league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He made 63 appearances for San Francisco, batting .284 with five home runs, 33 RBIs, and two stolen bases. He demonstrated solid offensive production in a reserve role for the Giants before becoming a free agent following the season.
Defensive Versatility and Strengths
Smith has shown the ability to play both corner outfield positions in addition to his primary position at first base. His defensive versatility has helped him find opportunities with multiple organizations throughout his career. He has demonstrated power-hitting ability with particular success against left-handed pitching at various points in his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith’s career includes several memorable moments. His walk-off home run in the final regular season game of 2019 against the Atlanta Braves stands as one of his signature performances. His two consecutive breakout seasons from 2019-2020 showcased his potential as an impact hitter. His resilience in continuing his professional career through multiple organizations demonstrates his determination to succeed in professional baseball.
Dominic David Rene Smith Career Statistics
Smith has accumulated career statistics across multiple MLB teams through June 26, 2026. His career batting average stands at .252 with 75 home runs and 324 RBIs. He has played over 600 games in professional baseball while demonstrating the ability to contribute at both the plate and in the field.
MLB Career Highlights
Smith’s best statistical season came in 2020 when he posted a .316 batting average with a .993 OPS in the shortened season. His career-high 12 home runs came during the 2023 season with Washington. The Mets selected him as the eleventh overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, and he reached the major leagues within four years. His 153 games played in 2023 represented a career high for a single season.
Other Professional Achievements
Prior to his MLB career, Smith earned Florida State League Player of the Year honors in 2015 after leading the league with 79 RBIs and 33 doubles. He played in the All-Star Futures Game in 2016 and was ranked as a top prospect throughout his minor league development. His nonprofit organization, Baseball Generations, which he founded in 2017, supports player development for financially underprivileged players.
Dominic David Rene Smith Family
Family Background
Smith grew up in California with his parents, Clay Smith and Yvette LaFleur. He was one of seven children in his family. His mother worked in child care while his father worked as a dog trainer and groomer. His parents lived separately while raising Dominic and his siblings. Smith grew up as a Los Angeles Angels fan.
Personal Life
Smith founded a nonprofit organization called Baseball Generations in 2017. The organization supports player development for financially underprivileged players, reflecting his commitment to giving back to the baseball community. His mother, Yvette LaFleur, passed away from cancer on March 15, 2026. Smith continues to pursue his professional baseball career following this personal loss.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants, Smith provided reliable offensive production in a reserve role. He batted .284 with five home runs and 33 RBIs in 63 appearances while demonstrating versatility by playing both corner outfield positions and first base. His ability to adapt to varying roles within the Giants’ roster showed his professionalism and experience. After his contract expired following the season, Smith became a free agent and continued his professional baseball career.