While understandable attention is being given to the Atlanta Braves' pitching and a red-hot start from catcher Drake Baldwin, there are a handful of role players who deserve more credit. Dominic Smith is near the top of this list as the veteran slugger has stepped into a surprise roster spot and wasted no time endearing himself to Braves faithful. Opening weekend, Smith hit a walk-off grand slam that was an emotional moment and a sign of what was ahead.
Smith is hitting .357, having driven in eight runners and hitting a pair of homers despite playing in a platoon role. Putting Smith into the lineup isn't consistent with Walt Weiss playing matchups and getting Jonah Heim and Eli White consistent playing time to start the season as well. However, Smith is making it increasingly difficult to keep his bat out of the lineup, bringing life to the middle and bottom of the Braves' order.
What makes Smith's hot start all the more fun is the fact that the veteran was brought to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Atlanta wasn't expected to have the veteran on the Opening Day roster, and this changed only due to a solid spring performance and key injuries that left the door wide open. Now, Smith has endeared himself to the fanbase and is putting together a great first month of the season.
Braves Must Give Dominic Smith More Credit for Impressive 2026 Start
Smith deserves his flowers for helping fuel the bottom of Atlanta's order and helping put together what has been one of the league's better lineups. It wouldn't be shocking to see this level of performance continue with manager Walt Weiss putting the slugger in the perfect position to continue to succeed.
Looking at Smith's resume, there is a lot of inconsistency, but what jumps out is the fact that in a lesser role, the hitter has thrived. Last season in 204 at-bats with the Giants, Smith offered a .284 average. Turning the clock back even further to a COVID-shortened 2020 season, Smith hit .316 with the New York Mets while driving in 42, and following this up by driving in 58 the following season.
It appears that the Braves have found a perfect piece to platoon and help fill the void that was created when Jurickson Profar opted to ignore the league's rules yet again. Profar was suspended for ignoring the league's banned substance policy for a second straight season, and this is a large reason why the door was open for Smith to make the roster and now play a vital role.
Regardless of how we got here, there is no denying that Smith deserves more credit and appears to be quickly earning the trust of Weiss and the Atlanta coaching staff. This is a great sign for a player helping fuel Atlanta's early hot start, and leaves room to wonder just how long the early-season magic might continue.