Steve Webb
Will Smith has emerged as an everyday player
LOS ANGELES — Typically teams don’t look at the catching position as one that will supply much offense. Occasionally, you get a Johnny Bench, or a Joe Mauer, or a Buster Posey, but more often than not, you just want your catcher to call a good game, keep the runners from stealing, and maybe contribute a hit here and there. And in fact, that is what Dodger catcher Will Smith was thought to be at the beginning of his career. However, he has blossomed into a truly great all-around player. And when he needs that day off to recuperate from the rigors of the position, he has a very able substitute in Austin Barnes. Let’s look at them both.
Will Smith (2021: .258 AVG., 25 HR, 76 RBI)
With barely 200 big league games under his belt, Will Smith has established a reputation for himself as one of the game’s elite backstops. Of the catchers who caught at least 100 games last year, only Buster Posey had a higher OPS than Smith’s .860. Plus, Smith has shown that he has ice in his veins in the big moment. From the epic Will Smith vs. Will Smith match up in 2020, to a half-dozen or saw huge hits late in games last year, Smith has proven himself to be a clutch bat for this Dodger team.
I imagine Smith will be up around 130 starts or so this season, and wouldn’t be surprised if he were the Dodgers’ DH on the days that he isn’t behind the plate. He’s that valuable of an asset at the dish.
If there is one place that Smith could probably improve, it’s in his defense. He graded out as a slightly above average defender by DRS (defensive runs saved) last season. Of the 30 catchers that had 400 PAs, Smith ranked 12th in DRS per FanGraphs. Catchers also need to keep the opponent’s running game in check. Fangraphs uses DRS-based Stolen Base Runs Above Average or rSB for short. Smith ranked 13th in rSB in 2021. So in other words, he’s been okay behind the plate. Which is a bit surprising because it was his defense that had Dodger insiders all aflutter before he joined the Show.
If Smitty continues to get better defensively, he should be at the top of the leaderboard when it comes time to pick the All-Star team this year. He’d better be, or I personally, will boycott the game. I don’t have the money to spring for a ticket anyway, but let’s say it’s for that reason, mmmkay?
Austin Barnes (2021: .215 AVG., 6 HR, 23 RBI)
I kind of feel like Austin Barnes took a step back last year after having a solid 2020. He only got about 200 at-bats in 2021, compared to Smith’s 414. Plus, unlike 2020, he wasn’t hitting in the nine hole last year, so he probably didn’t see as many pitches to hit as he did when he was ahead of Mookie Betts in the lineup. Not that pitchers were working around Barnes last year; he just didn’t have as many opportunities to get into a groove.
Still, Barnes had some big moments nevertheless. He had some huge pinch hit knocks last year, which is no easy feat. He will continue to be a valuable pinch hitter this season, but with no pitcher’s spot in the lineup anymore, I imagine there will be fewer opportunities. It’s not like Doc is going to life Max Muncy for Barnes late in a game or anything.
That said, with Clayton Kershaw back on the team for (at least) one more season, Barnes is assured of at least a few starts behind the plate in 2022. Kershaw, for whatever reason, just loves working with Barnes in the same way he was simpatico with AJ Ellis before him. Beyond that, you’re probably going to see a lot of Barnes on the bench this year. Smith is just too good to keep him out of the lineup for more than a day here or there.
Others…
It was a shame that we had to lose Keibert Ruiz in the Scherzer trade last year because that dude could flat-out rake. It will be interesting to track his career with the Nats and see how long it will be before he starts to get some serious playing time in the nation’s capital. However, the Dodgers made sure that they are not empty-handed should they lose either Smith or Barnes to injury this season. In camp this year is veteran receiver Tony Wolters, who has had a wealth of experience at the big league level, most with the divisional foes the Colorado Rockies. He’s not much with the stick, but he’s an able catcher and game-manager, so if the Dodgers have to break the glass in case of emergency, it’s nice to know that he’s around.
In all, it’s not quite the depth of last year’s team at the position, but Will Smith has now a full season under his belt, and he just keeps getting better. The only question is how high this kid from Louisville can fly.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE: A
