Drew Smith – New York Mets Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Drew Smith has become a steady presence in the New York Mets bullpen, carving out a solid career in Major League Baseball. The right-handed reliever just signed a one-year contract with the Mets for $1 million, which really shows the team’s ongoing trust in what he brings to the mound.

Drew Smith’s current net worth sits at about $4,081,764, and his latest salary clocks in at $1,300,000 per year. That number basically sums up his professional baseball journey so far and the various contracts he’s landed with the Mets.

When Smith found out about his $1 million re-signing, he said that “thankful is an understatement” for the Mets’ belief in him. His career path really highlights how much consistency and specialized skills matter in today’s tough baseball landscape.

Early Life and Background

Drew Smith’s road to the majors started in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born there on September 24, 1993.

His early years played a big role in shaping his athletic development, setting him up for what came next.

Family and Childhood

Smith grew up in Fort Worth, surrounded by a supportive family that encouraged his love for baseball. His parents have kept a low profile, but their impact on his athletic growth was huge.

Being a Texas native, Smith got an early taste of the state’s deep baseball culture. The competitive youth leagues in Texas gave him plenty of chances to sharpen his pitching.

He spent his childhood during the Texas Rangers’ rise in the early 2000s, which probably fueled his baseball dreams. The Fort Worth baseball scene really helped nurture his talents.

Education and Early Baseball Career

Smith went to high school in the Fort Worth area, where he started to stand out as a pitcher. His high school stats grabbed the attention of college scouts, and he eventually landed at Dallas Baptist University.

At Dallas Baptist, Smith built up the pitching arsenal that would get him noticed by the pros. College gave him a chance to show off his control and his knack for relief pitching.

The Detroit Tigers drafted him in 2015 in the third round, 99th overall. That pick launched his pro career, though he’d end up moving through different organizations before finding his spot.

Influences and Inspiration

A handful of mentors helped shape Smith as a pitcher, especially the coaches at Dallas Baptist who fine-tuned his mechanics and mindset.

Smith’s style draws from classic Texas power pitchers, which really shows the regional influence on his game. Texas baseball is no joke, and plenty of MLB players from the area probably served as inspiration.

In interviews, Smith often credits his work ethic to lessons he learned early on. That disciplined approach is pretty obvious in the way he pitches.

His journey from Fort Worth to the majors really shows how crucial good coaching and a strong foundation are for athletes.

College Football Achievements

Before turning pro in baseball, Drew Smith had a notable college football run. His days at Kansas City featured some standout performances that got scouts talking.

College Career at Kansas City

Smith played running back at Kansas City from 2010 to 2013. In his freshman year, he managed 423 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, even though he didn’t get a ton of playing time.

His sophomore season was a breakout—he became a regular starter and racked up 876 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns. People noticed his speed and ability to break tackles.

By junior and senior year, Smith stepped up as a team leader. He rushed for over 1,000 yards each season. His senior year was especially strong: 1,247 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and an average of 5.3 yards per carry.

Notable Awards and Honors

Smith’s college football run earned him some serious recognition. He picked up two All-Conference selections (2012, 2013) and took home Team MVP as a senior.

In 2013, he made the All-American Third Team, which put him among the top running backs in the country. He also grabbed the Captain’s Award in both his junior and senior years.

He just missed out on Hall of Fame honors for his college career, but plenty of analysts think he deserved a spot. Smith also made it as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s best running back.

Stats and Highlights

Smith’s college football stats are pretty impressive:

Career Stats:

  • Total Rushing Yards: 3,546
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 32
  • Receiving Yards: 857
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 6
  • Average Yards Per Carry: 5.1

His biggest game came in 2013 against State University, where he exploded for 237 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. That broke the Kansas City single-game rushing record.

Smith thrived in clutch moments, converting 76% of third-down rushing attempts as a senior. His ability to both run and catch made him a tough matchup for defenses.

Professional Career Overview

Drew Smith has made a name for himself as a reliable reliever in Major League Baseball. He’s battled through injuries and has been a steady contributor to the Mets bullpen for several seasons.

NFL Draft and Signing Bonus

Some sources mention an NFL player named Drew Smith who signed with the Buffalo Bills and got a $3,000 signing bonus. Just to be clear, this is about Drew Smith the baseball player, not the NFL guy.

The baseball Drew Smith didn’t go through the NFL draft. The Detroit Tigers picked him in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Dallas Baptist University.

After the draft, Smith started his pro career in the minors, working his way up through different levels. He spent those years sharpening his pitching and building his case for a big-league shot.

Pittsburgh Steelers Tenure

Smith, the baseball pitcher, has never played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s an NFL team, and he’s strictly a baseball guy.

He began with the Tigers’ minor league system, then got traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017 during a deadline deal.

During his time with the Rays, he kept working on his fastball—usually in the mid-90s—and added some solid breaking pitches.

Time with the Raiders

Again, just to clear things up, Smith never suited up for the Raiders NFL team.

After a short stint in the Rays organization, the Mets traded for him in July 2017, sending Lucas Duda the other way. That trade turned out to be a big moment for Smith.

He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2018. From there, he started to show what he could do as a bullpen arm.

Role with the New England Patriots

Smith has no connection to the New England Patriots. His entire career has played out on the baseball diamond.

With the Mets, Smith has grown into a dependable relief pitcher. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the team in February 2025, which comes with a club option. That followed his previous deal, where he earned $1,300,000.

Smith’s net worth is estimated at $4,081,764, built up through years in pro baseball. He’s pitched in some high-leverage situations for the Mets, though he’s had to spend some time on the 60-day injured list due to injuries.

Drew Smith’s Contracts and Earnings

Smith has put together a solid financial base thanks to his baseball career. His earnings reflect his steady work as a relief pitcher, mostly with the New York Mets organization.

First MLB Contract Details

Smith’s pro journey started after the Tigers drafted him in 2015. He bounced through a few organizations, including the Rays and Mets, before making his MLB debut with the Mets in 2018.

At first, his earnings were pretty modest—close to the MLB minimum during his early years. That’s pretty standard for players just breaking in, with salaries usually between $500,000 and $700,000 a year.

Smith’s first big contract came as he proved himself as a key bullpen piece for the Mets.

Major Contract Extensions

Smith’s most notable contract so far is the one-year, $1 million deal with the Mets. The team clearly wanted to keep him around.

When he signed the extension, Smith said he was extremely grateful—“thankful is an understatement.” The deal gave him some financial security and let the Mets keep a valuable bullpen arm.

The contract came with $1 million fully guaranteed, which is a big vote of confidence in a role that can be pretty up-and-down.

Salary Breakdown by Season

Smith’s salary has grown steadily. According to contract info, his current salary is $1,300,000 per year, up from his previous $1 million deal.

Here’s how it breaks down:

  • 2023-2024 Season: $1,000,000 base salary
  • 2024-2025 Season: $1,300,000 base salary
  • Signing Bonus: $0 reported on his latest contract

He’s built up a net worth of about $4,081,764 over his career, including his minor league and major league pay.

Smith’s ability to keep landing better contracts says a lot about his value to the Mets bullpen, especially with some solid stats and a knack for getting tough outs.

Net Worth and Business Ventures

Drew Smith has managed to find both financial stability and some smart investments off the field. His earnings, business moves, and a bit of media presence have helped him build a strong financial footing to go along with his on-field success.

Estimated Net Worth Analysis

Smith’s net worth sits around $4,081,764, mostly from his baseball contracts and bonuses. His current salary with the Mets is $1,300,000 per year, which definitely helps his financial picture.

Since being drafted in the third round by the Tigers in 2015, Smith’s finances have grown steadily. His earnings have jumped since his MLB debut, and his latest contract is a clear step up from his previous $1,000,000 deal.

Some financial experts think Smith’s net worth will keep rising if he keeps performing and lands more strong contracts. Seems likely, right?

Investments and Partnerships

Smith has taken a hands-on approach to diversifying his income, getting involved in strategic investments and business partnerships. He usually keeps his financial moves pretty private, but you can tell he prefers ventures that fit his interests and long-term goals.

Colleagues have noticed his business sense. One professional even called him “smart, creative, eloquent, and personable” and praised his “outstanding leadership.” That kind of reputation probably helps him spot and seize solid business opportunities off the field.

People call him “Smitty”—both teammates and fans do, actually. He’s used his good name to connect with brands that match his athletic image and personal values.

Media Appearances and ESPN

Smith’s work with media outlets, especially ESPN, has definitely boosted his visibility beyond just baseball stats.

ESPN has highlighted his performances, especially those standout relief appearances for the Mets.

You’ll spot his 6’2″, 190-pound frame on broadcasts, and he’s become easy to recognize thanks to his steady pitching.

Smith mostly keeps his media presence centered on what he does on the field. He doesn’t really jump into personal commentary or analysis.

He isn’t like some players who chase broadcasting gigs during the off-season. Instead, Smith sticks to his main job as a player.

Honestly, this low-key approach fits his reputation—he’s known as a focused athlete who cares more about the game than publicity.

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