Surprise stand-out for the 2025 SF Giants lands minor league deal with Braves

Dominic Smith was arguably the biggest surprise for the SF Giants last season. He was one of the team's best players at times and he has now found a new home, inking a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.

The Giants signed Smith last season after it was apparent that LaMonte Wade Jr. was not going to turn things around at first base. Wade was designated for assignment and they brought in Smith who ended up being a perfect pickup.

SF Giants stand-out Dominic Smith signed by Braves

Smith slashed .284/.333/.417 with five home runs and 33 runs batted in across 63 games. He was not the flashiest guy on the field by any means, but he did the little things right and looked incredibly smooth over at first base.

After the Giants traded for Rafael Devers, it seemed like Smith's time with the team was likely to come to an end. Yet, he stuck around on the roster and played first base, was the designated hitter, or came off the bench throughout the season as he just kept on providing value and doing the little things right.

It is also worth remembering that the dude injured his hamstring laying it all on the line against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Patrick Bailey's walk-off grand slam in extra innings doesn't happen if Smith doesn't extend every inch of his body to receive a throw from Matt Chapman in the fourth inning that prevented a run from scoring.

Smith went on the IL after that game and never returned as the injury occurred in September. It was an act of selflessness from a guy willing to do whatever it took to win as the Giants were trying to mount a miraculous comeback in the playoff standings.

While there was some hope that maybe the Giants would bring him back this offseason, it always seemed like it would be a tough fit with both Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge in the fold. The addition of Luis Arraez ended any hope that the Giants would sign Smith.

It was surprising that he went unsigned as long as he did. He was one of many former Giants who lingered in free agency without finding a team. It's still a little surprising that he only got a minor league contract, but teams may not have been convinced that he could replicate his 2025 numbers.

Nonetheless, Smith was a really good Giant even though he spent just 63 games with the club. He sacrificed his hamstring for one of the most thrilling wins of the 2025 season and for that he will always be remembered.