Drew Smith: Mets Relief Pitcher (2018 - 2024)

 Andrew David Smith was born September 24th, 1993, at Fort Worth Texas. His father owns a landscaping company & his mother works as a children's director at a Church.

Smith attended Crowley High School getting named a District MVP in 2012. He was a position player until converting to a pitcher at age 14.  

In the off season, he helps coach at his old high school. 

Drew then attended Dallas Baptist University, studying engineering & playing baseball. In 2015 he was a third-round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, the fifth highest player to be drafted by the school.

In April 2017 he was traded to the Tampa Rays, then in July was sent to the New York Mets in
exchange for Lucas Duda. In 2018 he started the season at AA Binghamton then after just two games, was pushed up to AAA Las Vegas.

MLB Debut: On June 23rd, he made his MLB debut finishing off a loss to the Dodgers at Citi Field. Smith would see regular action in August & get credit for a pair of holds. 

On September 3rd, he pitched a scoreless 8th, inning at Dodger Stadium & earned his first win, when Brandon Nimmo hit a three run HR in the top of the 9th inning. On September 18th, he took his first loss giving up a three run HR to the Phillies Jorge Alfaro in Philadelphia. On the season he was 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA in 27 appearances finishing off eight games.

Tommy John Surgery: During Spring Training 2019, he needed Tommy John surgery & would get shut down for the season. In the 2020 Covid season he returned to the mound in late July & would make eight appearances.

2021: Drew started the year with shoulder injury sidelining him for first three weeks. On May 21st, he came on in the 11th inning in South Florida & earned his first win as the Mets put up two runs in the top of the 12th. The next night he gave up a walk off HR to Garrett Cooper taking the loss.

Later that week he was a winning pitcher getting the last out of the 4th inning in a 4-2 win over the

Rockies at Citi Field. On June 29th, he earned another win at Atlanta. Om July 18th, he pitched a career high 2.2 innings in a Mets 7-6 win in Pittsburgh. By mid-August, his shoulder acted up again & he missed the final six weeks of the season. He went 3-1with a 2.40 ERA, striking out 41 batters in 41 innings.

2022: Smith began the season without allowing a run in his first 12 appearances, pitching a career high 13.1 scoreless innings in that time. Became the ninth Mets pitcher in franchise history to not allow a run in their first 12 games of the season.

Combined No Hitter: On April 29th in the Mets five pitcher, combined no hitter over the Phillies, Smith pitched 1.1 innings. It was just the second no hitter in franchise history. Tylor Megill pitched five innings, Smith followed pitching into the 7th inning, getting relieved by Joley Rodriguez. Then it was Seth Lugo & Edwin Diaz with the save.

On May 13th, he took his first loss. On May 24h, he had his first blown save of the season, giving up three runs in San Francisco as his ERA went over one for the first time on the season. 

On July 13th, he struck out a career high five batters pitching two innings of a 7-3 win in Atlanta.  

Thru the end of July, he was 2-3 then went back on the IL missing two months of action. On September 23rd, Smith earned his third win of the season, in a 10th inning walk off win against the Marlins, on Eduardo Escobar's single.

In the Mets 2022 wild card season, Drew made 44 appearances going 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA. He notched 14 holds struck out 53 walked 15 in 46 innings pitched. 

2022 Post Season: In the NLWC loss to the Padres, he pitched 1.1 innings of the Game #3 loss, striking out one & allowing one hit.

2023: On Opening Day, Smith earned the hold in the Mets 5-3 win in Miami. On April 15th, he earned his first win, coming in a 3-2 victory at Oakland. In May, Smith would earn wins at Citi Field over Atlanta & Cleveland.  At the end of the month, he gave up runs in four straight games. From May 19th to June 26th, Smith allowed two runs in four of ten appearances. 

Ejection: On June 13th in a subway series game, he was ejected while entering the game, after a sticky substance check.

With Edwin out for the season due to getting injured while celebrating in the World Baseball Classic, the Mets needed help in the closer role. Smith would collect three saves on the season. 

He saw more action in middle relief, as he did collect 12 holds although he posted a 4.15 ERA. In the Mets disappointing season, he had career highs in appearances (62) games finished (16) strike outs (60) innings (56.1) as well as earned runs (26) & walks (29).

2024: Smith returned for an Opening Day appearance in the Mets 3-1 loss to the Brewers. On April 5th, he collected his first win of the season, coming in a 3-2 victory at Cincinnati, pitching a scoreless inning. He didn't allow a run thru his first six games & had three holds thru April. On April 16th, Smith collected his first save of the season.

 Second Tommy John Surgery: The injury ridden career of Drew Smith continued, as he would miss six weeks of action returning at the start of June.

In the Mets hot month of June, he made eight appearances before going down for the season, needing another Tommy John surgery. He gave an emotional interview, breaking down explaining his situation to the media after the injury was diagnosed. Drew thanked the Mets for all they've down for him thru his years. 

He will most likely be down thru the 2025 season as well & will become a free agent. 

In 19 appearances he was 1-1 with two saves posting a 3.06 ERA. He struck out 23 walking 9 in 17.2 innings, finishing off four games.

Hobbies: Drew enjoys paddle boarding, cooking & golf.

Career Stats: In his six-year career, Drew is 12-13 with five saves posting a 3.48 ERA. He has 202 strike outs & 77 walks in 196.1 innings, allowing 29 HRs. 

In 2022 he & swimsuit model Cindy Kimberly of the Netherlands, exchanged friendly flirts on social media that gained public attention. 

Prior to a Mets Cardinals game at Citi Field, Kimberly & model Brook Nader threw out ceremonial first pitches, with Smith actually receiving the throw from Nader. His first post said "see you at another game this year" & the exchanges continued.