TheLos Angeles Dodgersare having a good season in 2023 but it is not up to their usual standard.
They have been one of the most successful regular-season teams over the past decade and that is because their roster is always loaded.
When you think of the Dodgers stars, the names Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Clayton Kershaw come to mind.
While those players have all been good, they are overshadowing one of the most underrated players in baseball.
Catcher Will Smith is having a fantastic season and is making his case as the best catcher in baseball.
Smith made his MLB debut in 2019 and has been elite ever since.
According to Doug McKain, since debuting, Smith ranks top-three in OPS, home runs, RBI, wRC+, and fWar.
Will Smith catcher ranks since making his MLB debut on 5/28/19:
.861 OPS (1st)
69 HR (2nd)
229 RBI (2nd)
136 wRC+ (1st)
12.5 fWAR (3rd)The Dodgers catcher is one of the most underrated and under appreciated players in the sport.
Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) June 26, 2023
He is a key cog in the middle of the Dodgers lineup while also being great behind the plate.
Having an offensive-minded catcher is a rare occurrence in MLB.
Some teams have catchers in the lineup for their ability to manage a game and not swing the bat.
But the Dodgers are one of the few who have the best of both worlds.
LA has a record of 43-34 on the year and that puts them in third place in the NL West.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the most surprising teams in baseball and do not seem to be slowing down.
The Dodgers have won the NL West in nine of the last ten seasons.
The experience of their roster is what they hope can lead them to the top of the division.