Will Smith -- Prospect Evaluation

Will Smith was selected 32nd overall in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the University of Louisville, signing for $1,772,500. The 5'10", 195-pound right-handed catcher has established himself as a solid defensive player, earning Best Defensive Catcher honors for the Dodgers in both 2018 and 2019. Smith is noted for his athleticism and speed for the position, throwing out 44% of base stealers despite being rated an average defensive arm. At the plate, Smith demonstrates exceptional contact skills with a 7% strikeout rate in his college days, though scouts project him as an average hitter with below-average power. He recorded a .360 batting average and .500-plus on-base percentage in ACC play. Through his minor league career, Smith was ranked as high as the #5 prospect in the Dodgers organization in 2019 and #95 overall by Baseball America, while reaching as high as #8 in the Pacific Coast League. His professional debut came on May 28, 2019. Career statistics show a .264 average with .358 OBP and .476 SLG across 2,508 at-bats, with 128 home runs.

Will Smith emerged as a surprising 2017 prospect ranking at No. 14 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, selected 32nd overall in the 2016 draft. Smith's draft stock rose unexpectedly as a junior at Louisville after posting a .242/.333/.331 line as a sophomore, eventually landing on Dodgers' radar despite not appearing in initial top 200 draft lists. His junior season was exceptional—leading Louisville in hitting with 7 home runs, striking out just 14 times in 55 games, and posting a .480 on-base percentage.

However, Smith's professional debut through three minor league levels revealed immediate concerns. He combined for a .246/.355/.329 slash line with 4 home runs and 29 walks in 55 games, striking out in 20% of plate appearances. A brief stint in the Cape Cod League also produced minimal results at .259/.333/.259. The disconnect between his junior season success and professional performance suggests caution in projecting his offensive upside.

Smith's actual value lies in elite defensive capabilities. He is considered a plus defensive catcher with exceptional athleticism for the position, featuring a low crouch, efficient framing mechanics, and a 41% caught stealing rate despite emphasizing quick release over raw arm strength. Beyond catching, the Dodgers employed him at second and third base, with his speed potentially allowing him to handle other positions including center field. His athleticism and speed profile (9-for-10 stolen base success in college) could develop into offensive utility value if properly developed.

This pre-draft analysis examines three prospects entering the 2016 MLB Draft. Will Smith, a Louisville catcher, has rapidly risen on draft boards with a .380/.476/.573 line in the College World Series featuring exceptional plate discipline (18 walks, 12 strikeouts) and speed (9 stolen bases in 10 attempts). However, concerns persist regarding his power projection, as his relatively flat swing and lack of physical projectability suggest his current batting average may not be sustainable given he previously never batted above .240 in college. The analyst assigns him a 50-grade overall, projecting a starting-potential career comparable to Austin Barnes but with less power.

Brigham Hill represents an underrated pitching prospect from Texas A&M. Despite his small frame, Hill generates plus velocity with good plane delivery from a high slot and possesses striking secondary offerings (changeup and slider) with strikeout potential. Compared to Sonny Gray, Hill demonstrates the competitiveness, athleticism, and command typical of durable starting prospects, though undersized pitchers carry inherent risk of eventual bullpen transitions. His draft-eligible sophomore status creates signability questions, but strong SEC performance may motivate teams to select him earlier than the analyst's 124th ranking.

The article previews a third underrated prospect, Colby Woodmansee (SS, Arizona State), though detailed analysis appears incomplete in the provided excerpt.

The Dodgers selected Louisville catcher Will Smith with the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Smith had an exceptional 2016 season at Louisville, posting a .380/.476/.573 slash line while drawing praise for his defensive abilities and receiving skills. He is characterized as an athletic catcher capable of running well and posting impressive pop times.

Smith's primary strengths center on his hit tool and athleticism. He is described as a disciplined hitter who is difficult to strike out, with a swing designed for contact—flat with minimal load, keeping him in the zone and quick to the ball. However, this same swing limits his power potential, with only 8 home runs in 2016 despite favorable offensive metrics. His ability as a receiver and overall athleticism should facilitate rapid organizational advancement if his offensive performance proves sustainable.

The evaluation notes significant concerns regarding Smith's lack of track record and limited power projection tied to his physical size. While his offensive production surged in 2016, he had not previously exceeded a .250 average, raising questions about durability of improvement. A realistic best-case scenario suggests Smith could develop into an athletic platoon catcher alongside Austin Barnes, potentially reaching .300+ averages with 5-10 home runs and 15-20 stolen bases annually.

The scout concluded that while Smith presents an atypical skill set for a catcher that warrants confidence in the Dodgers' evaluation, the lack of consistent historical performance creates uncertainty about whether his 2016 season represents genuine development or a one-year anomaly.

Will Smith, ranked as the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect in 2019, has undergone a significant transformation under the organization's hitting philosophy. Smith abandoned his previous high-contact swing from Louisville for a steeper, more aggressive approach designed to access his raw power. This philosophy change has resulted in expected strikeout rates exceeding 20%, particularly on pitches elevated in the zone and breaking balls. However, Smith compensates through exceptional plate discipline, maintaining on-base percentages above .350 despite modest batting averages, and demonstrates strong pitch recognition despite elevated strikeouts.

Behind the plate, Smith possesses elite defensive credentials as an excellent receiver and game controller with strong athleticism. His versatility extends to the infield, where he can play third base and potentially second base. Smith requires minimal additional development in the minor leagues, needing only adjustments to handle difficult pitches upstairs. The Dodgers positioned him for a major league call-up if injuries to the primary catcher occurred or if incumbent Austin Barnes underperformed. While Smith's offensive profile at the catching position may be undervalued, his combination of power, defense, and impact across all facets of play positions him as a potential high-WAR player despite not necessarily accumulating eye-catching batting averages.

Will Smith is a 21-year-old catcher prospect in the Dodgers organization playing for Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High-A). The scouting report dated September 2, 2016, based on observations from late August and early September, projects his MLB arrival in 2019 with moderate risk.

Physically, Smith presents as an athletic catcher with a solid frame and lean muscle at present, with room to grow into his chest and shoulders. He demonstrates quick feet and spring in his lower half, suggesting durability and athletic versatility (secondary third base candidate).

Offensively, Smith has a fringe-average hit tool (45 grade) featuring a wide stance, tight hands, and quiet vertical bat. He exhibits a deep load with leg kick and aggressive stride, though with mild hand drift and back elbow elevation. His approach is very patient with strong ability to track pitches and manipulate sequencing. Vulnerabilities include some exposure to velocity. The hit tool is expected to play up given his strong on-base ability and tendency to draw hit-by-pitches from his over-the-plate positioning.

Power is graded at 40 (well below average), driven by average strength and bat speed. His linear swing mechanics limit power utility, though he should develop occasional over-the-fence pop to the pull side. Overall Future Potential rating is 55, indicating a solid professional player outlook.