RADIO
Will Smith 2021 Fantasy Outlook: A Rising Star At The Catcher Position
4 years agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is a rising star at the catcher position. He slashed .289/.401/.579 in 2019, which is elite for a backstop. The .401 on-base percentage and .579 slugging percentage were each the second-highest rates among all catchers in the major leagues with a minimum of 35 plate appearances. After hitting 35 home runs between Triple-A and the majors in 2019, Smith clubbed eight homers in the 2020 shortened season. ATC projects him for 22 HRs in '21, so the power is real. Should the National league continue to adopt the designated hitter, Smith will be in line for extra at-bats. He started to pick up DH at-bats for the Dodgers down the stretch on his non-catching days, including during their postseason run. After a 163 wRC+ season in 2020, we would bet on the 25-year-old Fresh Prince of Los Angeles, especially if the DH is in effect in 2021.
