MLB

Smith Unlikely Hero in Braves’ Unexpected Successful Start of the Season

Dominic Smith signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves in February. They are the fifth MLB team in four seasons he’s played for.
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Smith Unlikely Hero in Braves’ Unexpected Successful Start of the Season
Dominic Smith #8 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga., on March 29, 2026. Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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Welcome to Atlanta, Dominic Smith.

Glancing at MLB’s National League East standings Saturday morning, seeing the Atlanta Braves occupying first place after eight games in the young season is an unexpected surprise. The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, both clubs with payrolls exceeding the Braves’ spending, are off to slow starts this season. And who could have predicted that when Smith, 30, signed a minor league contract in February, with an invitation to spring training, that he would be leading Atlanta’s offense at this stage of the 2026 season? Better yet, who would have gone out on a limb to predict that the 10-year pro would have made the Opening Day 26-man roster?

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Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.