Will Smith (catcher)

Last updated

Will Smith
Will Smith Los Angeles Dodgers (48427251081) (cropped).jpg
Smith with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 16
Catcher
Born: (1995-03-28) March 28, 1995 (age 29)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 28, 2019, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2023 Miami Team

William Dills Smith (born March 28, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Louisville Cardinals. He was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut in 2019. Smith is a two-time All-Star and won the World Series with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2024.

Contents

Amateur career

Smith attended Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2013, as a senior, he hit .528 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs along with pitching to a 7–1 record 0.87 ERA. [1] He went undrafted in the 2013 MLB draft and enrolled at the University of Louisville where he played college baseball. In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [2] In 2016, his junior season, he slashed .382/.480/.567 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs in 55 games. [3] After his junior year, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. [4] Smith signed on July 17, 2016, for a $1.775 million signing bonus. [5]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Smith with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2017 Willsmithcatcher.jpg
Smith with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2017

Smith began his professional career with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer Baseball League [6] and was then quickly promoted to the Class-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League. [7] He played in seven games for Ogden, 23 for Great Lakes and 25 for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League, hitting a combined .246. [8] He was named to the California League mid-season all-star team in 2017. [9] He hit .232 in 72 games for the Quakes with 11 homers and 43 RBI. [8] He was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League in July, but suffered a fractured hand after getting hit by a pitch in his debut with the Drillers and he spent the rest of the season on the disabled list. [10] He split 2018 between Tulsa and the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers of the Pacific Coast League, hitting .233 with 20 homers and 59 RBI. [8]

Los Angeles Dodgers

2019

Smith began 2019 with Oklahoma City [11] but was promoted to the majors for the first time on May 27, 2019. [12] He made his major league debut the following day against the New York Mets and had two hits in four at-bats as the starting catcher. His first major league hit was a single off Steven Matz in the second inning. [13] Smith's first MLB home run was a walk off against Héctor Neris of the Philadelphia Phillies on June 1, 2019. [14] On June 23, 2019, Smith hit a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies. It was the third straight game the Dodgers won on a walk-off home run by a rookie, an MLB record. [15] He returned to the minors for a month and was selected to the Pacific Coast League team at the Triple-A All-Star Game. [16] In 62 total games for Oklahoma City in 2019 he hit .268 with 20 homers and 54 RBI. [8] Smith was recalled to the majors again on July 26 to replace Austin Barnes as the Dodgers primary catcher [17] and the following day hit a homer and two doubles against the Washington Nationals as well as driving in six runs, the most RBI by a Dodger rookie since James Loney in 2006. [18] With 26 RBI and nine homers in his first 23 games, he passed Cody Bellinger for the most in franchise history through that many contests. [19] He finished the 2019 campaign hitting .253/.337/.571 in 54 games with 15 homers and 42 RBIs. [20] He had only one hit in 13 at-bats against the Nationals in the 2019 National League Division Series (NLDS). [20]

2020

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Smith played in 37 games for the Dodgers and hit .289/.401/.579 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs. [20] In the third game of the 2020 NLDS, Smith had five hits against the San Diego Padres, setting a new Dodgers franchise record for most hits in a post-season game. [21] On October 16, during Game 5 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) Smith became the first MLB player to face a pitcher of the same name in the postseason, Atlanta Braves pitcher Will Smith. [22] The faceoff ended with Smith hitting a three-run home run. [23] In the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Smith had four hits in 24 at-bats, including a home run in Game 2. He also committed a fielding error that led to the Dodgers losing Game 4, however they won the series in six games. [24]

Smith with the Dodgers at the White House in 2021 Will Smith (51362604855) (cropped).jpg
Smith with the Dodgers at the White House in 2021

2021

In his first full season and third overall of his career, Smith played in 130 games for the Dodgers and hit .258/.365/.495 with new career highs of 25 home runs and 76 RBIs. Of his 130 games played, Smith played third base and first base for one game each as well as serving as a pinch runner or designated hitter for 16 games while playing catcher for the remaining 117 games. He led major league catchers in stolen bases allowed. [25] He also led the National League with 11 sacrifice flies. [20] Smith started every game for the Dodgers at catcher in the postseason. He was hitless in three at-bats in the Wild Card Game, had six hits (including two home runs) in 18 at-bats in the 2021 NLDS and had four hits (one home run) in 23 at-bats in the 2021 NLCS. [20]

2022

In 2022, Smith played in 137 games for the Dodgers, which included 109 at catcher and another 25 as the designated hitter. He had a .260 batting average, with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs. [20] He also hit .188 in the 2022 NLDS. [20]

2023

Smith signed a $5.25 million contract with the Dodgers in his first year of salary arbitration. [26] He was selected to his first All-Star game in 2023. [27] On the season, he played in 126 games, batting .261 with 19 homers and 76 RBI. [20] In the 2023 NLDS, Smith had five hits in 12 at-bats (.417 average with a double and a triple.) [20]

2024

Smith began 2024 by agreeing to a $8.55 million contract, a record amount for a catcher in his second season of salary arbitration. [28] Then, on March 27, he signed a 10-year, $140 million contract extension with the Dodgers. [29] [30] He hit his 100th career home run for the Dodgers against the Mets on May 30, [31] becoming the fourth catcher in franchise history to hit 100 home runs alongside Roy Campanella (242), Mike Piazza (177), and Steve Yeager (100). [31] On July 5, he hit three home runs in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, joining Campanella, Piazza, and Yasmani Grandal as the only Dodger catchers to accomplish that. [32] The following day, he homered in his first at-bat of the game, tying him for the major league record of four home runs in four at-bats, the first Dodger player to do so since Adrián González in 2015. He also became the third catcher in history to accomplish that, joining Johnny Bench (1973) and Benito Santiago (1996). [33] He was selected to the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his second such selection. [34] Smith played in 128 games for the Dodgers in 2024, with a career low .248 batting average and with 20 home runs and 75 RBI. [20]

Smith started every game for the Dodgers in the postseason, but hit poorly, with a .125 average in the NLDS, .182 in the NLCS and .111 in the 2024 World Series. However, he hit one home run in each series and won his second championship with the Dodgers. [20]

International career

On August 29, 2022, Smith announced that he would represent the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, joining fellow Dodgers Mookie Betts and Trea Turner. [35]

Personal life

William Dills Smith was born on March 28, 1995, in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents are Mark and Julie Smith, and he has a younger sister, Sara. He grew up a Red Sox fan, and his favorite player was David Ortiz. [36]

Smith married Cara Martinell in December 2020 and their first child, a daughter, was born in October 2022. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Turner</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Justin Matthew Turner is an American professional baseball infielder and designated hitter who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yasmani Grandal</span> Cuban-born American baseball player (born 1988)

Yasmani Grandal is a Cuban-American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Grandal is a two-time MLB All-Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Kozma</span> American baseball player (born 1988)

Peter Michael Kozma is an American professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Oakland Athletics. The Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft from Owasso High School in Oklahoma, and he made his MLB debut for them on May 18, 2011. He is 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m), weighs 190 lb (86 kg), and bats and throws right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristopher Negrón</span> American baseball coach and former player (born 1986)

Kristopher David Negrón is an American former professional baseball utility player and current first base coach of the Seattle Mariners. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He played every defensive position in MLB except pitcher and catcher, spending the most time at third base and second base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Seager</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Corey Drew Seager is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is often regarded as one of the best shortstops of his generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mookie Betts</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts is an American professional baseball outfielder and shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox. He is an eight-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a six-time Gold Glove Award recipient, a three-time World Series champion, and was named the Most Valuable Player in the American League in 2018. He is also second in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among active position players, behind Mike Trout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Taylor (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Christopher Armand Taylor Jr., nicknamed "CT3", is an American professional baseball utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners. He played college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers. Taylor was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the Mariners in 2014. Traded to the Dodgers, Taylor won the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award in 2017, was a member of the World Series champions in 2020 and 2024, and was an All-Star in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miguel Rojas (baseball)</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1989)

Miguel Elias Rojas Naidenoff is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2014 and also played in MLB for the Miami Marlins from 2015 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Muncy</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Maxwell Steven Muncy is an American professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Baylor Bears. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He played in MLB for the Athletics in 2015 and 2016 and later joined the Dodgers in 2018, winning the World Series with the team in 2020 and 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enrique Hernández (baseball)</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1991)

Enrique José Hernández González, nicknamed Kike, is a Puerto Rican professional baseball utility player who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Barnes</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Austin Scott Barnes is an American professional baseball catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Barnes was selected by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2015 and helped the team win the 2020 and 2024 World Series. He has also played for the Mexico national baseball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teoscar Hernández</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1992)

Teoscar José Hernández is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. Hernández has won two Silver Slugger Awards and was an All-Star in 2021 and 2024. Hernández signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in 2024 and later won the World Series with the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Bellinger</span> American baseball player (born 1995)

Cody James Bellinger is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB draft and debuted with the team in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Pollock</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Allen Lorenz "A. J." Pollock is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and San Francisco Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Lux</span> American baseball player (born 1997)

Gavin Thomas Lux is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keibert Ruiz</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1998)

Keibert Jose Ruiz is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 National League Championship Series</span> Baseball championship series

The 2018 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the Milwaukee Brewers against the Los Angeles Dodgers, for the National League (NL) pennant and the right to play in the 2018 World Series against the AL Champions, the Boston Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 National League Championship Series</span> Baseball championship series

The 2021 National League Championship Series was the best-of-seven series in Major League Baseball (MLB) between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers, for the National League pennant and the right to play in the 2021 World Series. The matchup saw the Braves defeat the favored Dodgers by a score of 4 games to 2, sending the Braves to their first World Series since 1999, and in the process the Braves avenged their NLCS loss to the Dodgers the year prior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 National League Division Series</span> American baseball games

The 2021 National League Division Series were two best-of-five-games series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2021 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners, seeded first through third, and a fourth team — determined by the NL Wild Card Game — played in two series. These matchups were:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Pages</span> Cuban baseball player (born 2000)

Andy Pages is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Will Smith bio". Louisville Cardinals.
  2. ↑ "Will Smith - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. ↑ Jones, Steve (June 2, 2016). "Stock surges for U of L catcher Smith". Courier Journal. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  4. ↑ Hoornstra, J.P. (June 9, 2016). "Dodgers use 32nd overall pick on college catcher Will Smith". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ Stephen, Eric (June 18, 2016). "2016 MLB Draft: Dodgers reportedly sign catcher Will Smith, No. 32 overall pick". SB Nation. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  6. ↑ Leboff, Michael (June 30, 2016). "Dodgers' Smith smacks first pro homer". milb.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Bernreuter, Hugh (July 2, 2016). "First-round draft pick Will Smith leads Loons to win in first game". Mlive.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Will Smith Register Statistics & History". Baseball Reference.
  9. ↑ Lindskog, Mike (June 13, 2017). "Six All-Stars for Quakes!". Milb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  10. ↑ Stephen, Eric (July 15, 2017). "Dodgers catcher Will Smith on DL with broken hand". SB Nation. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Tony Gonsolin, Will Smith Among Dodgers Top Prospects On Triple-A Oklahoma City Preliminary 2019 Opening Day Roster". Dodgerblue.com. April 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ Minami, Craig (May 27, 2019). "Dodgers select Will Smith's contract". SB Nation. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Mets vs. Dodgers play-by-play 5-28-19". mlb.com. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  14. ↑ Wexler, Sarah (June 2, 2019). "Smith's first homer a walk-off shot for LA". mlb.com. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  15. ↑ Gurnick, Ken (June 23, 2019). "Dodgers 1st team ever to win 3 in row THIS WAY". MLB.com . Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  16. ↑ Oklahoma City Dodgers (June 26, 2019). "Will Smith and Kevin Quackenbush Named to Triple-A All-Star Game". milb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  17. ↑ Castillo, Jorge (July 26, 2019). "Rookie Will Smith to be Dodgers' 'primary' catcher, Dave Roberts says". LA Times. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Smith doubles career RBIs in big day at the dish". mlb.com. July 27, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  19. ↑ De Nicola, Christina (August 13, 2019). "Dodgers belt 6 homers in long ball spectacle". mlb.com. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Will Smith stats". Baseball Reference.
  21. ↑ Gurnick, Ken (October 8, 2020). "LA juggernaut cruises to another NLCS". MLB.com. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Will Smith vs. Will Smith? Twitter had jokes". MLB.com.
  23. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (October 17, 2020). "I am legend: Will Smith homers off Will Smith". MLB.com. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  24. ↑ "2020 World Series Los Angeles Dodgers over Tampa Bay Rays (4-2)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  25. ↑ "2021 Major League Baseball Fielding Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  26. ↑ Stephen, Eric (January 13, 2023). "Dodgers sign Will Smith for $5.25 million to avoid arbitration, per reports". SB Nation. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  27. ↑ Toribio, Juan (July 2, 2023). "Smith, Kershaw join Betts, Freeman, Martinez on All-Star roster". mlb.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  28. ↑ Stephen, Eric (January 11, 2024). "Will Smith signs with Dodgers for $8.55 million, avoiding salary arbitration". SB Nation. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  29. ↑ Toribio, Juan (March 27, 2024). "Will Smith, Dodgers agree to 10-year extension". mlb.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  30. ↑ Passan, Jeff (March 27, 2024). "Dodgers, catcher Will Smith agree to 10-year, $140M extension". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  31. 1 2 "Will Smith Joins Exclusive Company in Dodgers History". Inside The Dodgers. May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  32. ↑ Torobio, Juan (July 5, 2024). "With 3-homer game, Smith states his case for recognition". MLB.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  33. ↑ Torobio, Juan (July 6, 2024). "Smith performs rare feat, then Vargas' pinch-hit blast wins it". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  34. ↑ Toribio, Juan (July 7, 2024). "Betts, Freeman, Smith, Hernández, Glasnow to join Ohtani in All-Star Game". mlb.com. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  35. ↑ Toribio, Juan (August 29, 2022). "Will Smith latest to commit to Team USA for 2023 WBC". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Will Smith #30". gocards.com. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  37. ↑ ""How old is Cara Smith, LA Dodgers' Will Smith's wife? Everything to know as couple welcomes baby girl"". October 17, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.