5 MLB players who could benefit most from universal DH

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets looks on from the field during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets looks on from the field during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 16: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets hits a sacrifice fly scoring Pete Alonso #20 against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on August 16, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 16: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets hits a sacrifice fly scoring Pete Alonso #20 against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on August 16, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

1. New York Mets outfielder Dominic Smith

With the emergence of Pete Alonso at first base, it immediately became difficult to see how Dominic Smith would fit into the New York Mets‘ plans going forward.

Smith, 26, is a power-hitting left-handed bat who has excellent gap power and an insane amount of thump in his bat. Smith, a first baseman by trade, had to move to left field in order for Pete Alonso to have a place in the Mets’ lineup.

The Mets had struck hard and fast this offseason before the lockout came down; signing both Starling Marte and Mark Canha to free agent deals. Those two moves plus the presence of Brandon Nimmo in right field all but guarantee that the Dominic Smith in left field expirement is over.

Last year was Smith’s first full season in left and while he did not commit more than just a single error out on the grass, he ranked near the bottom of the league in sprint speed, Outs Above Average and Outfielder Jump rate. He was also dead last in OAA and Runs Prevented in the outfield. His large, clunky frame keeps him from ever being viewed as a successful outfielder, so DH may have to be the way to go for him.