2023 WBC Star player Vol.13: Will Smith, “Slugging catcher”-Possible player for the USA-

Today's player I'll introduce is Will Smith, the Los Angeles Dodgers catcher, who will represent the USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic with his teammates, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner.


The Dodgers selected Will Smith with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft. Smith made his big league debut in 2019, recording .253, 15 long balls, and 42 RBIs in 54 contests.


In 2020, the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 27-year-old catcher appeared in 37 games and batted .289, with eight homers and 25 RBIs. Smith racked up five hits in Game 3 of the National League Division Series to become the first Dodgers player with five hits in a postseason game.
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In 2021, when he had his first entire season, Smith slashed .258/.365./.495 with 25 home runs for his career-high and 76 RBIs.

In 2022, he played in 137 games, his career most in a single season, appearing in 109 as a catcher and 25 contests as the designated hitter with a batting average of .260, 25 shots, and 87 RBIs to help the Dodgers win 111 games with a franchise record for wins.

KAISPO baseball analyst says, "Will Smith puts the Dodgers' strong pitchings together, hitting powerfully. Because of a catcher and slugger, Smith should be evaluated as a valuable two-way player."

(MLB No.258 KAISPO No.1439)