Will Smith: Poster Boy of Dodger Development
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…
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.
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (77)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Tibbs with two dingers. Killed them to CF off of lefties too
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Haha hit two homers do what you like on D
His bat plays. Spit on pitches out of tge zone. Hit strikes hard. Either a future Dodger LF or a prine trade chip.
Someone will replace Teo first in my opinion whether it’s after this season or next.
Sorry 4 typos
I just hope our starters can keep up with the bullpen and Ohtani can eventually catch up to Freeland’s home run total.
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….
You are not being graded. C- 😉
Right ! Player.
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 want to not have to work for a living. Who cares what he wants?
Anybody on this site who talks shit about Freddie Freeman is dead to me. Ignore.
I always have favorites. Snider, Lefebre, Loney, Pederson, Smith, Outman, Freeland.
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.
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!