The volatile career of a baseball prospect who refused to fade away

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: After bypassing college for a $2.6 million bonus, Dominic Smith’s journey has been a wild ride. From setting franchise records to battling severe sleep apnea and frequent roster demotions, the former top prospect has navigated a nomadic path through many Major League teams, constantly fighting to prove his worth.

Selected 11th overall by the New York Mets in the 2013 MLB draft, Dominic Smith arrived with immense expectations. After bypassing a commitment to USC, he bypassed the minor league struggles of 2014 to emerge as the Florida State League Player of the Year in 2015. His 2017 debut saw immediate impact, including a walk-off home run, and his 2020 campaign was a statistical marvel, setting a Mets franchise record with a .616 slugging percentage during a shortened season.

However, the path has been anything but linear. Smith’s career has been marked by significant physical and professional hurdles. In 2016, a sleep study revealed he was stopping breathing 90 times per' hour—a level far exceeding the threshold for severe sleep apnea. He eventually found stability using a CPAP machine, which helped him regain productivity. Later, a partially torn labrum in 2021 contributed to a period of significant regression, leading critics to label him a 'prime under-performer.'

Since leaving the Mets following a 'tumultuous' tenure, Smith has become a true professional nomad. Between 2023 and 2026, he has navigated a series of contracts and releases with the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. Despite the constant movement and the frequent use of opt-out clauses, Smith continues to find opportunities, recently making a dramatic impact with a walk-off grand slam for the Braves in March 2026.

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