In the world of professional baseball, resilience and adaptability are keys to long-term success. Few embody these qualities more than the longest-tenured Mets pitcher on the roster, Drew Smith. His journey through the ranks of Major League Baseball has been marked by triumphs, setbacks, and ultimately, redemption.
Smith's ascent to the Majors began with his selection by the Detroit Tigers in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft. Armed with raw talent, a plus fastball, and unwavering determination, he embarked on a journey through the minor leagues, honing his craft as he climbed the rungs of the minor league ladder.
His early years in the minor league circuit showcased glimpses of his potential, as he excelled on the mound. From the Gulf Coast League Tigers to the West Michigan Whitecaps, Smith left an indelible mark, boasting an impressive 0.29 ERA in his inaugural season.
As he continued to refine his skills, Smith's journey took an unexpected turn in 2017 when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the Mikie Mahtook deal. Undeterred, he embraced the opportunity with his now trademark resolve, delivering standout performances for the Rays' affiliate teams.
However, once again he was involved in a trade that would alter the course of his career. On July 27, 2017, Smith was dealt to the New York Mets in exchange for Lucas Duda, a move that would prove pivotal in shaping his future.
Joining the Mets organization gave Smith a renewed sense of purpose, as he swiftly adjusted to his new team and showcased his devastating fastball with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. His stellar performances on the mound did not go unnoticed, earning him that long-awaited call-up to the majors in June 2018.
Smith's debut for the Mets was a testament to his resilience, as he delivered a flawless inning of relief against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite facing formidable opponents, he held his own with poise and confidence, laying the groundwork for a promising career in the big leagues.
Just as his star was on the rise, adversity struck once again, this time in the form of a devastating injury that threatened to derail his progress. In 2019, Smith underwent Tommy John surgery during spring training, sidelining him for the entirety of the season. Yet, true to form, after the rehabilitation process and recovery, Smith made a triumphant return to the mound for the Mets in 2020. Despite facing challenges and setbacks in those eight games, he persevered, showcasing his resilience with each outing. Though his performance was not without its struggles, Smith's unwavering determination and commitment to excellence remained undiminished.
In 2021, Smith's resilience was put to the test once more as he battled through injuries to make thirty-one relief appearances for the Mets. Despite the obstacles that stood in his path, he refused to yield, delivering standout performances that underscored his unwavering dedication to the game.
2022 marked Drew's fourth season with the Mets. His appearances and innings pitched both surpassed any other season in his career. However, the persistent issue of injuries would strike once again, sidelining him for over a month due to a lat strain. Throughout his brief career, he has yet to complete a full season in good health, hampering his potential despite flashes of brilliance. Despite these setbacks, Smith's prowess was evident in 2022, boasting an impressive 3.33 ERA, among the best in the Mets' bullpen. His 1.152 WHIP trailed only Edwin DÃaz and Adam Ottavino.
2023 was a wildly inconsistent year for Drew. Whenever it seemed like Smith was on the verge of escaping a tough situation, in a game he consistently surrendered a big base hit or lost control of his fastball. His struggles were further highlighted when he received a 10-game suspension due to a foreign-substance check during the team’s 7-6 loss against the New York Yankees on June 13.
Upon his return from suspension, however, there was a noticeable improvement in his performances on the mound. July was by far the best month of the season as Smith delivered six consecutive scoreless appearances, finishing the month with four consecutive strong outings. Although his strikeout rate dipped to a season-low 8.0 SO/9 during this period, he managed to prevent the long ball. Unfortunately, Smith's consistency wavered towards the end of the season. He posted a 4.09 ERA in August and a 4.66 ERA in September/October, marking a disappointing conclusion to his 2023 campaign, especially considering his impressive performance in July.
In a recent interview I did with Drew, he provided insights into the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way. He delved into the process of reverting to his earlier mechanics, shedding light on the pivotal role of biomechanical analysis and the invaluable guidance of sports scientists.
Drew candidly acknowledged the initial difficulty of transitioning back to his former mechanics, a task that proved more daunting than anticipated. After spending an entire offseason attempting to implement changes, he realized that the alterations he had made throughout his career hindered rather than improved his performance. The realization prompted a return to the drawing board, igniting a concerted effort to reclaim his lost form. The turning point came with the aid of advanced technology that transformed Smith into a skeletal figure onscreen, revealing the intricate nuances of his movements. Through meticulous analysis, discrepancies between his current and previous mechanics became apparent, providing a roadmap for his rehabilitation.
Armed with this newfound insight, Smith embarked on a journey of reacquainting his body with the familiar motions that once propelled him to success. His fastball is back to where it was when he was most effective. The transition was not without its challenges, as Smith grappled with the mental and physical adjustments required to realign his mechanics. Yet, through a combination of video analysis and dedicated practice, he gradually reintegrated the techniques that had eluded him. As Smith attested, the process was akin to repatterning oneself, a painstaking endeavor that ultimately yielded promising results. One of the key differences identified in Smith's mechanics was a subtle alteration in his arm slot, which had inadvertently compromised the effectiveness of his slider. By rectifying this discrepancy and fine-tuning his posture, Smith was able to restore the power and precision that had been lacking. Moreover, the keen observations of sports scientist Dean Little proved instrumental in pinpointing these nuances, underscoring the invaluable role of analytics in modern sports.
As Smith starts out this 2024 season and yet on another new chapter in his career, his journey serves as a testament to the importance of embracing innovation while honoring tradition. By marrying technological advancements with the wisdom of seasoned experts, he has forged a path back to his pitching roots, poised to write the next chapter of his story on the mound.
In a sports landscape increasingly defined by analytics and scientific scrutiny, Smith's career offers up a reminder of the human element that is the foundation of athletic excellence. Through dedication, resilience, and a willingness to adapt, he has hopefully regained the mechanics that made him so effective. So far through two and one thirds innings the results have looked good, as Drew has allowed only one hit, one walk while striking out three batters.