Did the Dodgers have any idea Will Smith would be the hitter he is when they drafted him? Not in the least! When the Los Angeles Dodgers took Will Smith in the 1st round of the 2016 draft (32nd overall out of the University of Louisville), the internal scouting report looked something like this:
- High baseball IQ catcher (pitch-calling, leadership, defense)
- Solid bat, not flashy
- Good plate discipline, gap power
- A player with a high floor but not necessarily a superstar ceiling
In draft-speak:
Will was a “Safe everyday catcher,” Not a “middle-of-the-order monster.”
What They Actually Got
Will Smith turned into one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, with elite on-base skills and a power combination. He became a guy who consistently posts .850–.900 OPS seasons… which happens to be rare air for catchers. That’s not normal. Catchers usually come with one of two settings: (1) Defense-first, light bat; or (2) Bat-first, questionable defense. Smith somehow turned into both. I have had Dodger fans say, “Yeah, this was what I thought he would be when they drafted him.” Well, I never heard you say it at the time, and if you did, you would have been branded as delusional. Even the Dodgers didn’t expect Will Smith to become the best catcher in baseball… with all due respect to Cal Raleigh.
This is a Testimony to Dodger Development
The Dodgers did like him, they drafted him, and they deserve credit for his development. Even if they didn’t predict he would become this monster, they weren’t guessing about his plate discipline, which was already elite in college. They saw that he controlled the strike zone like a veteran. The Dodgers’ scouting under Andrew Friedman heavily values hitters who don’t chase and make consistent quality contact. Will Smith had that. That’s the kind of foundation that can quietly turn into something dangerous in the Dodgers’ professional development.
After the draft, the Dodgers’ player development machine kicked in:
- Swing adjustments resulting in more lift, more power;
- Selective aggression by hunting pitches to drive;
- Physical strength gains; and
- Continued elite pitch recognition.
Basically, the Dodgers took a raw, precision instrument… and turned it into a weapon.
Reality Check
If any team knew he’d become a perennial All-Star-level hitter and one of the best offensive catchers of his era, he wouldn’t have gone 32nd. He’d have gone top 10… maybe top 5! The Dodgers didn’t draft Will Smith, thinking, “This guy will anchor our lineup. They drafted him, thinking, “This guy won’t go bust.” Yet, they somehow got, “This guy might be the most reliable offensive catcher in baseball.”
That’s not scouting luck… That’s the Dodgers’ scouting, plus the Dodgers’ development, hitting a perfect note! This is what the Dodgers do. Currently, the Dodgers have a number of players who “could” reach levels of development like Will Smith. “COULD” not “WILL.” These include:
- Josue DePaula
- Mike Sirota
- James Tibbs III
- Zach Root
- Emil Morales
It’s harder for me to project Eduardo Quintero, Zyhir Hope, and others, but I am high (hopeful) on the five prospects I listed. They all have “that” which I cannot define… I just know it when I see it.
Last Night’s Game
The Dodgers are superb at playing “the long game.” Taking pitches, working the counts until they get a pitch, or a pitcher they can exploit! They will seldom be out of a game this year. Enjoy the ride! Now, we hold our collective “breath” as Sasaki goes to the mound against Cleveland tomorrow.
Correction, the Dodgers are home tomorrow against Cleveland,not in Cleveland. Also give a Sasaki a chance before he even throws a pitch. Hopefully he might shock all of us and if he doesn’t succeed he is willing to go to Oklahoma City to work on his pitching flaws.On a positive note Wrobo will back him up if he falters. I still believe in the young man as a MLB starter.
Dodgers receptionists when Smith came to the FO.
Receptionist “Who may I say is here?”
Smith replies, “Tell them Willy-boy is here.”
Now, it is “Sir Will.”
Or Tyrannosaurus Will!
Or “Big Willy”,Future Hall of Famer.
Baby Faced Assassin.
Will “Game Wrecker” Smith
What I enjoy about Will is that he is a quiet and unassuming person, but he can rip the heart out of a team with one, quick, compact swing.
He became a favorite when he first came up to the Dodgers and had several walk off hits. I believe in one series that season the team had three walk offs in a row. All by rookies! Will was one of those rookies. I’m sure Bear will fact check that for me.
Carry on
When he was drafted I hoped Smith would become our Posey. He has now matched him in rings. It’s time to separate. One of the best Dodgers of an era. The captain.
From SI:
Brock Stewart facing batters
While the Dodgers don’t anticipate Stewart returning for multiple months, he started throwing bullpen sessions during Spring Training and on Friday progressed to facing batters at Dodger Stadium.
“Used his entire pitch mix, I thought the stuff was really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Stewart’s session against Alex Call and Dalton Rushing. “I didn’t look at it from behind, but just given the swings, it was a very productive live session.”
Roberts added Stewart likely will need to complete a second round of live batting practice before possibly starting a rehab assignment. Assuming the right-hander doesn’t experience any sort of setback, he should pitch to hitters again before the Dodgers end their homestand next week.
Stewart’s continued progress has him ahead of Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips. Graterol was projected to be healthy this spring after missing all of 2025 while recovering from his own right shoulder surgery, but encountered trouble when attempting to pitch off a mound.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers already knew Phillips wouldn’t be available until later in the season due to having Tommy John surgery last June.
As for Stewart, he’s looking to not only bounce back from what became a shortened season because of surgery, but also overcome a long history of injuries throughout his career. Stewart previously had Tommy John surgery in 2021, dealt with more right elbow trouble in 2023, and multiple shoulder issues in 2024.
Stewart was among arbitration-eligible players who the Dodgers agreed to a contract with for the 2026 season. The 34-year-old is not due to become a free agent until after the 2027 season.
Stewart is in his third stint with the Dodgers organization after being drafted by the team in the sixth round in 2014. Though, he didn’t pitch for the Dodgers or any of their Minor League affiliates during the second tenure in 2021 because of having Tommy John surgery.
Gervase & Hurt might be ahead of him on the depth chart. Kelly & Kopp not far behind.
Best part of 2026 season has been the bullpen, Scott included.
I thought Smith would beat out his competition as he rise in the organization because of his speed.
I hope Freeland and Sirota become regulars and winners.
Freeland is my favorite player, but I have no expectations that he will be anything more than a utilityman. I just love his story: “He may never walk” to “MLB Player.”
Anything else is icing on the cake. He’s my first favorite player since one Clayton Kershaw. I seldom have a favorite player. Clayton became my favorite player when he talked to my son and me for about 10 minutes during his Rookie Year, then asked if we wanted a signed ball, ran to the outfield and back (from 1B) to get it, and signed it. He still has the ball.
Freeland got into that HR the other night. Also showed off a rocket arm.
I always have favorites. Snider, Lefebre, Loney, Pederson, Smith, Outman, Freeland.
In today’s game it’s hard to to have a favorite player on your favorite team! They change teams so much! But Clayton will always be my favorite. Right now I have to say that Mookie is tops on my list with Freddie right behind him. Glasnow is my favorite pitcher. But a shout out to Freeland! Hope he wins the second base job ! Good looking ball player! Dodgerdad
He’s now raising his own Dodger Fan (Van):
On June 1st, 2019, my sis and I, my brother Steve and my aunt, went to see the Dodgers play the Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Kersh started against Jose Alvarez of the Phillies. David Freese was leading off and playing 1st base. Smith, who had been called up on May 28th was catching and batting 8th, right in front of Kershaw. To show you how different the team was then, Muncy was batting 2nd, then Taylor, Bellinger, Kike, Seager, Verdugo, and Smith. Dodgers got a run in the third, then the Phillies tied it with a triple by Hoskins and a Realmuto single. LA went back up 2-1 when Freese hit his 5th homer of the year off of current Dodger, Cole Irvin. LA added a run in the bottom of the 7th. Urias replaced Kershaw in the 8th and gave up a 2-run homer to Harper. In the bottom of the 9th, Neris replaced Dominguez. He retired Verdugo. Smith then hit a 2-2 pitch into the left field bleachers for his first career homer and his first career walk off hit. In June, the Dodgers would win 3 consecutive games against the Rockies on walk off homers by rookies. Friday night, it was Beaty, Saturday night an 11th inning walk off by Verdugo. We went to the Sunday afternoon game. With the game tied, 3-3 in the 9th, Smith PH for Jansen and hit his 3rd homer of the year, a 3-run shot to right center to win the game. His second walk off. I had no clue what he would become, but at that point, I thought he was much better than Barnes or LA”s other catcher at the time, Russell Martin. He out homered them 15-11. And nearly drove in as many runs, 42-45. He also hit .253 with a .907 OPS. What amazed me is that he did not get a single ROY vote.
Quit having favorites after my last favorite player, Garvey, left in free agency. My loyalty now is with the team. I respect Kersh more than most other players since he always gave LA the home discount even though he could have gone to the Rangers and been closer to home. My two all-time favorites are Duke Snider and Koufax. If I were to have favorites, Smith would be high on the list since he is A. Home grown, and B, LA’s best catcher since Piazza.
I will take the liberty of rejoining Mark’s site. I hope I am welcome.
Just a comment on the ABS Challenge System which I have always been critical of from the time it was suggested some years back. My skepticism comes from having 2 different strike zones in play simultaneously. Now the HPU is supposed to have the same zone of ABS, which they don’t.
Yesterday CB Bucknor again was horrible calling balls and strikes. That’s nothing new to all of us. How he keeps his job, through all of his post-game evaluation, is a mystery to us all.
Now the news is full of his incompetency based on 8 challenges in a game with 6 calls overturned. SIX calls fixed.
Umpire Scorecard had him at 77% called strikes called accurately. There appears to be 24 missed pitch calls. So that means about 16 pitches were actually missed and stood as called.
If the purpose of ABS was to get all the pitches called correctly, the Challenge System is a failure. I guess the goal was to turn each challenge into a side-show and not actually get all pitches called correctly.
Full-time ABS for me please.
You are always welcome, Phil, and CB Buckner is the poster child of how to call balls and strikes… as wrong as possible.
Thank you Mark.
Third base ump missed a clear check swing call on Freeman just before he hit his double for an RBI.
Phil, one of your posts is in moderation. Pretty sure Mark will approve it as soon as he gets back online.
Full time is probably coming at some point. I’ve always thought it should be Full-time or nothing because of umps like Buckner, but at least they’re fixing the egregious ones.
When the Hawkeye system was first introduced to call lines for professional tennis it was also just a limited challenge system to either confirm or overule calls made by human line judges. Over time it became more accepted and now is used full-time. Line calls, which was once a very controversial part of the sport (You cannot be serious – John McEnroe), is now a non-issue and is much more fair.
I’m hoping that baseball can use tennis as an example and move through the process much quicker. I agree that if the objective is to get the call right – then full-time ABS is the answer.
Griffey jr. was one I always wanted to be a Dodger! He lost over 2 full seasons because of injuries and still hit over 600 homers. No accusations of steroids. A complete baseball player! Maybe Bonds was the best to some ,but everything even, give me JR. I’m not including Mays, Mantle, Aaron, Clemente in this conversation because I didn’t watch enough of them to rate them. I do know they were great players. But Griffey was exceptional ! And by the way Bear, Garvey was my favorite pitcher before Clayton. Just like Piazza, it sucked when he left!
I remember when Fox Sports reported we had traded for Randy Johnson.
I know you meant to say player, not pitcher. Before Garvey my favorite was Koufax.
Right ! Player.
Tibbs with two dingers. Killed them to CF off of lefties too
His CF approach is impressive. I’ve seen him crush more pitches to LF/CF than RF. Dude just hits the ball hard and has a good eye. I haven’t seen enough of his defense to judge but the bat plays. He’s a 25-30 HR OF next year if given a starting job.
He had an error today but it was kind of bs. He made a sliding catch. He had control of it. However, in his excitement when he hopped up to run back to the dugout he dropped the ball out of his glove.
Haha hit two homers do what you like on D
Isn’t he getting reps at 1B? With Freeman’s contract ending, why isn’t he more likely to end up there?
Freddie wants to play 4 more years. I see him in LF!
Someone will replace Teo first in my opinion whether it’s after this season or next.
When Kike and Edman come back, I can see Call and Espinal being jettisoned. I can also see JT3 being in a platoon in LF. Sorry Teo….
I want to not have to work for a living.
Who cares what he wants?
I really like that kid. Missed a cycle last night by just a homer. 2 doubles a triple and a single. Rortvedt cleared waivers and was outrighted by the Mets to AAA. Brebbia signed to a minor league deal by the Twins. Rockies, Giants and D-Backs all start the season 0-3. Padres are 1-2. Padres play SF next, Detroit is playing the D-Backs, Rockies get the Blue Jays and LA plays Cleveland. Brewers lead the majors with 29 runs scored, Angels lead AL with 25.
His bat plays.
Spit on pitches out of tge zone. Hit strikes hard.
Either a future Dodger LF or a prine trade chip.
Sorry 4 typos
You are not being graded.
C-
😉
I just hope our starters can keep up with the bullpen and Ohtani can eventually catch up to Freeland’s home run total.
I stumbled across this today. I had almost forgotten…
Thirteen years ago, I had to decide if I wanted to be a Dodgers Commentator or build a $100 Million Dollar Company… I made the right decision.
Besides, I have a face for Radio.
However, I am still here… just not doing the videos (thankfully).
I met Justin Sellers at a signing event sometime around this time. I think it was 2010 or 2011. Super nice guy. Wow have things changed.
Come on Mark, you totally have a face for TV, 😉 I don’t lolz.
But my face is one only a mother could love.
Anybody on this site who talks shit about Freddie Freeman is dead to me. Ignore.
I think Freddie will play until he is 40 and enter the HOF as a Dodger with 3,000 hits and 450 HRs.
Poll question raised by Mark, Will Freddie choose to go into the hall of fame as a Dodger or a brave? Vote now compadres
It’s not Freddie’s choice. The cap on a Hall of Fame plaque is chosen by the National Baseball Hall of Fame—not the player. They look at:
Where the player had their most iconic years
Career value split
Historical identity / narrative
Championships help, but they don’t override everything
If he were to go in now, it would be as a Brave.
If he plays 4 more years as a Dodger, that may do it.
It used to be solely up to the player. Now the hall works with the player in the decision.
That pretty much ended with Wade Boggs. He wanted to go into the Hall as a Ray, but he only played two years in Tampa. He got his 3000th hit as a Ray. His cap is a Red Sox cap on his plaque.
That pretty much ended with Wade Boggs. He wanted to go into the Hall as a Ray, but he only played two years in Tampa. He got his 3000th hit as a Ray. His cap is a Red Sox cap on his plaque.
Boggs refutes that he wanted to go into the HOF as a Devil Ray. He said the story eminated from when Jose Canseco said that he would go into the HOF as a Devil Ray if he made it, but Boggs never had any desires to go into the Hall as a Devil Ray. Everyone is going to believe what they want. I choose to believe he wanted to go in as a Red Sox, and that his greatest Career Value came with Boston.
It is just as likely that Freddie will go into the Hall without a logo on his cap, as Greg Maddux did. Maddux played 11 years for the Braves and 10 for the Cubs and didn’t want to choose between the two. Maddus said on the subject:
“My wife Kathy and I grew up in baseball in Chicago, and then we had just an amazing experience in Atlanta with the Braves. It’s impossible for me to choose one of those teams for my Hall of Fame plaque, as the fans of both clubs in each of those cities were so wonderful. I can’t think of having my Hall of Fame induction without support of both of those fan bases, so, for that reason, the cap on my Hall of Fame plaque will not feature a logo.”
The HOF calls for Career Value to be driving the decision. With Freddie, I think it is a valid arguement that his Career Value will be fairly equal for both Atlants and LAD. Freddie loved his time with Atlanta, and I do not think that he would want to slight Atlanta. And there is no way he would slight LAD.
IMO, he will go into the Hall with no logo on his cap.
I never got the whole story. Canseco doesn’t have to worry about getting in the Hall. Messed that up himself.
He goes in as a Dodger. Two rings and more to come and two iconic home runs in the World Series as a Dodger plus he wants to play 3 or 4 more years as a Dodger.He and his wife love LA.
As it stands right now, he has 12 years with ATL and 5 with the Dodgers. If he plays 4 more years, that will give him 9 with LA. It’s not a slam dunk that he goes in with an LA Cap.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame makes the final call. Players can state a preference, but the Hall treats that like input, not a veto button.
Think of it like a front office hearing a player’s contract request: respected, considered… but not decisive if it conflicts with the bigger picture.
I asked AI (3 different ones) and they all said: “Right now, unless Freeman turns his Dodgers run into something legendary, even if he wanted LA… Cooperstown would probably hand him an Atlanta cap anyway.”
That can change in 4 years… or not!
I’m sure there’s something appealing to Freddie having his number up there with Reese, Lasorda, Snider, Hodges, Gilliam, Sutton, Kershaw, Alston, Koufax, Fernando, Campy, Jackie, and Drysdale.
Spending the day in Las Palmas, Canary Islands on a 45-day cruise 76th birthday through Europe. Internet is sporadic. Caught up with the posts today and enjoyed them immensely and am ecstatic that Jeff has joined the site with his insight.
So excited that LA is cranking out the wins and the pitching and hitting is carrying over from last year. Tibbs, Erdhard, Kim and are doing well and will be waiting in the wings. Can’t get much better than this. at this rate they should clinch the West around August. Go Dodgers!
Happy birthday Jack. 45 days!!!! The Dodgers will have the division won by the time you get home. Hopefully the weather has turned for you because the weather in the Canaries has been shocking. Nice part of the world though.
Holding my breath for Roki tonight. Not that hopeful….
I’d take 4 IP 2 ER <3 walks as a successful outing.
Watford,how are the gas prices in the UK these days?
Andrew – the prices have always been high there in the UK compared to the US, but they’ve gone through the roof, and it’s especially difficult for me because I’m Cabbie and burn through about 3 tanks a week in my Merc. Reckon it’s costing me the equivalent of about an extra $100 (£80) a week!!!
To add to the problem, people are panic buying and creating a shortage. At least the Dodgers have started well to take my mind off it!!
Wat, are you still cabbing in London?
I’m supposed to be out that way next month
I now live in Central London in Bloomsbury, near Russell Square but drive out about 30 minutes every morning to
My old town of Watford, on the edge of London.
I would be more than happy to pick you up from Heathrow or whatever you need, or just meet up for some food or beers!!
Perfect. I’ll be staying in Mayfair area I think.
Once I know, i”ll let you know .
Unfortunately things are going to get worse,before they get better. Dodger baseball is a release from reality for all of us.
Gone from $.80-$1.22 a liter for diesel here in Panama. Gasoline is similar.
Appreciate the well wishes. I know Saski doesn’t want to be a reliever but if the next few starts don’t go good, it’s either AAA or reliever. I wish the best for him too.
Mid 60s here today. Really pretty place.
Yesterday was Tibbs Day
Buehler making his Padres debut tonight. Rockies might start season 0-6. They are playing the Blue Jays in Toronto. Happy Birthday Jack, my 78th is coming up in June. Renewed my driver’s license online last week and got my new one in the mail Saturday. Good until 2031. Guardians starting a rookie leftie tonight, so looks like Rojas will get the start again even though Freeland is a switch-hitter. Espinal probably back in the lineup too even though Muncy hit lefties pretty decently in spring. Had two homers off of lefties. Probably means Smith starts over Rushing too.
In Panama, once you hit 70 you have to prove every 2 years that you’re still of sound mind and body. You have to take a doctor’s note with you to the DMV or what their version of it is.
Here in Colorado, you have to do that at 80. I doubt I will be driving much past 2031 if at all. It depends on my eyes a lot. Here, if you have had an eye exam in the last 12 months, which I did last July, they renew without a docs note.
Got my license renewed last October when I turned 79. The license expires in October of 2031. Hope it expires before I do!
Will Smith America’s catcher
I was reading early today comments about the ABS Challenge System. Reports are favorable about the “entertainment value” that the challenges have provided for fans.
So it has been popular as an event and to cheer or boo the HPU.
So the question is:
It ABS about get each pitched called correctly, or for the entertainment value it creates for the fans?
It appears that the circus atmosphere it creates was the goal after all. And I need to except that and move on, despite still thinking this whole escapade was a waste of time.
Murakami has homered in 3-straight games for the White Sox. Robert Jr hit his first as a Met the other day.
Giants’ outfielder Luis Matos sent to the Brewers for cash. LA has not discussed an extension with Andy Pages. He is under team control until 2030.