Will Smith Emerges as Premier Catcher and Earns First All Star Selection

Los Angeles Dodgers, Will Smith has risen as one of the Major League Baseball’s premier catchers. At 25 years old, he has already shown tremendous skill and the potential to improve upon his game. His offensive capabilities, defensive improvement, and leadership skills have been noticed amongst the fans and leagues, thus granting him a well deserved All Star Selection.

He showcased his abilities during the pandemic-shortened season by catching alongside Austin Barnes. Additionally, he showcased talent with the bat and became one of the team’s most productive hitters. Despite his relative inexperience as a catcher, his impact on the team was undeniable and created the home run highlight and helped fuel the Dodgers’ comeback in the National League Championship Series.

During the offseason, he set his focus towards improving his game. Some of the skills include pitch framing, defensive skills, and managing the pitching staff. His improvement was evident due to his defensive metrics improving and warranted the trust and admiration from his teammates including veteran Clayton Kershaw and rookie pitchers.

In the 2021 season, Smith became the Dodgers’ primary catcher, marking a turning point in his career. Impressively, he started 111 games behind the plate and his defensive contributions became very valuable. His mastery of game plans, pitch calling, and ability to take charge on the field crafted him into an indispensable asset to his team.

Since his 2019 debut, his offensive numbers continue to impress and he ranks among top catchers in OPS and has even outperformed established players like Salvador Perez. His consistency in offensive production and defensive growth solidified him as one of the leagues’ most well-rounded catchers.

Smith’s exceptional performance and undeniable impact was unable to be ignored. The All Star selection was a testament to his contributions to the Dodgers and growth as a player. His reserved nature coupled with a focus on the team’s success and goals made him easy to overlook, but his teammates recognized his loyalty, intelligence, and competitive spirit.

With his success at and behind the plate, he remains humble and driven towards success. He aims to be the teams’ primary option behind the plate and has his sights set towards a second World Series title.

In a league with many talented catchers, Will Smith has emerged to be one of the best. His remarkable journey being a promising young talent to an All Star caliber player displays and serves as an example towards the importance of dedication, perseverance, and growth. As he steps into All Star stardom, he serves as a reminder of his impressive rise and bright future that he has built for himself and the Los Angeles Dodgers.