PHILADELPHIA — Dominic Smith’s major league debut — and first career hit — were overshadowed Friday night by another heralded prospect’s thunder.
Amed Rosario, stuck in a slump to begin his Mets career, cleared the right-field fence at Citizens Bank Park to start the ninth inning, giving the shortstop his first big league homer and his team the go-ahead run in a 7-6 victory over the Phillies.
“It’s just a dream come true,” Rosario, who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, said following the Mets’ second straight victory. “The boys did a great job and I’m happy we were able to respond at a time it was needed.”
Smith finished 1-for-3, collecting his first career hit on a single through the middle in the fourth inning before exiting as part of a double-switch in the sixth.
“More than a teammate, I feel like [Smith] is my brother,” Rosario said of his former teammate in the minor leagues. “And the same excitement he is feeling, I am feeling it for him.”
Said Smith: “It’s just fun to be back up here playing with [Rosario]. I’m very proud and happy we picked up the ‘W’ today.”
Lucas Duda was dealt to the Rays just before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline in part to clear space for Smith, the organization’s No. 2 prospect behind Rosario, who entered 5-for-31 (.161) at the plate.
In 114 games for Las Vegas, the 22-year-old Smith was batting .330, and showing signs of developing power, with a career-high 16 homers. Now the question is whether Smith’s homer production was a result of the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League or a transformation in his swing.
“I think it’s more the stuff I have done with my swing,” Smith said. “In the last month I have been able to lift the ball and I worked some mechanical adjustments in the beginning of that month, so I think learning that and learning how to use my legs and get the ball in the air, that has definitely helped me in that category.”
Smith, who is listed at 6-foot and 226 pounds, said he has gained weight since shedding significant pounds in the offseason. He arrived at spring training down 24 pounds from the previous season, when he believes excess weight affected his performance, but 4 ½ months in Las Vegas proved difficult for Smith from a dietary perspective.
“I’m still trying to eat right and eat healthy,” Smith said. “It still can be tough at times. I have gained a little bit of weight back, but I was able to not get back to what it was last year and that was the main goal.”
Smith said the combination of finances and a minor leaguer’s daily schedule make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.
“We get per diem and our per diem for a lot of players, they can’t afford to get a nice meal, get a nice dinner,” Smith said. “There are clubhouses down there that don’t give you the best options to eat, because they are trying to save money as well, so it can be tough.
“After the games there is not much open, especially in the smaller cities. You are surrounded by fast food and that is where the majority of the stops are, so it can be extremely difficult down there, and up here it should be much easier.”
Manager Terry Collins said he already has spoken to Smith about not changing his approach in the batter’s box with the idea he has to prove something to team officials.
Much like Michael Conforto, who homered in the second and has blossomed into a star this season, the Mets view Smith as somebody who does his best work using the entire field to hit.
“One of the things I have liked about [Smith’s] offense is he’s always used all parts of the ballpark,” Collins said.
“He’s a left-center field gap guy, he doesn’t try to hit the ball out of the ballpark and makes very good contact. Defensively he has got a very good set of hands and has got a good arm. He moves very well over there, better than people give him credit for, so we’re hoping everything we heard about him, how he played in Vegas continues here.”