Will Smith

ATC projections by Ariel Cohen. Steamer projections by Steamer Projections Blog. THE BAT projections by Derek Carty. Zeile Consensus projections by FantasyPros.

Fantasy Baseball News Last 90 Days

Will Smith Taking Game 1 Off Tuesday

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies are playing a doubleheader at Coors Field on Tuesday, and Dodgers catcher Will Smith will start on the bench for Game 1 with the team taking on right-hander Chase Anderson. Austin Barnes will do the catching for left-handed opener Caleb Ferguson and will bat in the nine-hole for the Blue. Smith will almost assuredly return to catching duties for Game 2 of the twin bill on Tuesday. The 28-year-old All-Star is currently hitting .261/.360/.437 with 18 home runs, 21 doubles, two triples, 72 RBI, three stolen bases and 77 runs scored on the year in 122 games played. Smith is limping towards the finish line, though, going 12-for-64 (.188) in 17 September starts with a homer, two doubles, a triple, six RBI, 13 strikeouts, one steal and 10 runs scored.

Sep 26 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Gets Saturday Off

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers have gone with the plan of starting Smith twice followed by Austin Barnes once for about a month. That being said, this appears to be a routine rest day for Smith. The expectation is that Smith will be back in the lineup after this game. In the meantime, Barnes will do the catching and bat ninth versus right-hander John Brebbia on Saturday.

Sep 23 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Previewing The 2023-24 Free Agent Class: Lefty Relievers

We've been covering the upcoming free agent class at MLBTR. After covering the starters yesterday, we’re on to the relief group. We’ll begin with the southpaws. Note: only players who have been on an MLB roster in 2023 are included. Ages listed are for the 2024 season. Top of the Class Josh Hader (30) Long one…

Sep 23 · MLB Trade Rumors Closers Brewers Giants Orioles Cubs Rangers Mets Rays Pirates Padres Braves Angels Marlins Guardians Yankees Red Sox Dodgers Rockies Fernando Abad Scott Alexander Felix Bautista Richard Bleier Andrew Chafin Aroldis Chapman Edwin Diaz Jake Diekman Jarlin Garcia Amir Garrett Josh Hader Brad Hand Aaron Loup T.J. McFarland Matt Moore Daniel Norris Wandy Peralta Drew Pomeranz Brooks Raley Joely Rodriguez Chasen Shreve Will Smith Will Smith Brent Suter Mike Tauchman Justin Wilson

Will Smith Played First Half With Broken Rib

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith acknowledged in a weekend interview that he suffered a fractured rib at the end of April after getting hit by a pitch and played through it, per the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett. Despite this, the 28-year-old made his first All-Star game after batting .279 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI. Oddly, Smith's second-half production has dropped off, potentially due to swing mechanic changes to compensate. Either way, he has once again been a solid fantasy contributor this season.

Sep 20 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Gets A Rest Day

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as this appears to be a planned rest day for Smith. The right-handed slugger went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and a double during Tuesday's contest. In his absence, Austin Barnes will cover behind the plate and bat ninth versus left-hander Blake Snell. Barnes won't be an ideal streaming option against Snell in this game.

Sep 13 · Source via Closers Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Receives A Breather

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will start Wednesday's game against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on the bench. It's a normal day of rest for the All-Star backstop. He should be back in the starting lineup on Thursday for the start of a big weekend series against the Atlanta Braves. With Smith sitting, Austin Barnes is catching and batting in the nine-hole against Diamondbacks rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. The 28-year-old Smith made his first All-Star team in 2023 and is currently hitting .271/.366/.461 with an .826 OPS, 17 home runs, 66 RBI and 67 runs scored in 104 games as one of the better offensive-minded catchers in fantasy in one of baseball's best lineups.

Aug 30 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Sitting Out Second Game Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will take the second game off on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians. The Dodgers and Guardians finished up Wednesday's rain-suspended game earlier on Thursday, and Smith caught all nine innings of that contest. The 28-year-old All-Star backstop will rest in the second game and should be back in the starting lineup on Friday for the start of a series against the Boston Red Sox on the road. Austin Barnes is catching and hitting in the nine-hole in the second game on Thursday against Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams. Smith, a first-time All-Star in 2023, is a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he's active. He came into Thursday's action hitting .274 (98-for-358) with 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 99 games for LA.

Aug 24 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Now Starting Thursday

Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is now in the starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Corbin Burnes, serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup. Smith was originally set for a day off in the series finale, but he was put back in the lineup when regular DH J.D. Martinez (groin) was scratched due to injury. Fantasy managers will want to get the 28-year-old backstop back in their lineups against the Brewers. Smith has gone 14-for-52 (.269) with two home runs, three doubles, nine RBI, a stolen base and 10 runs scored in 14 games (13 starts) so far in the month of August.

Aug 17 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Taking The Day Off

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will get a regular day of rest on Thursday in the series finale against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Austin Barnes is doing the catching and is hitting in the nine-hole against Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes. Smith should be back in Friday's lineup for the start of a series against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium, so fantasy managers will want to get him back in their starting lineups then. When in the lineup, the 28-year-old is a must-start in all fantasy leagues with a .277/.378/.469 slash line, .847 OPS, 15 home runs, 61 RBI and 62 runs scored in 339 at-bats. Barnes, who is hitting .123 (15-for-122) with no home runs, should be avoided in DFS.

Aug 17 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Starting For Dodgers Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (elbow) is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday to face left-hander Ken Waldichuk and the Oakland Athletics. Smith is doing the catching and batting third in the lineup. X-rays came back negative for Smith after he was hit by a pitch in the left elbow of Sunday's series finale against the Cincinnati Reds, and he'll be right back in there for the start of a series against the lowly A's on Tuesday. The 28-year-old backstop needs to be returned to all starting fantasy lineups for the week. Smith continues to be one of the best offensive catchers in the game in an extremely potent Dodgers lineup. He's hitting .279/.388/.474 on the season with an .862 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI and 52 runs scored in 287 at-bats.

Aug 1 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Leaves Game Early, X-Rays Negative

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith left Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning after being hit by a pitch on the elbow, but X-rays came back negative. He has officially been diagnosed with a left elbow contusion and hopes to be available for Tuesday's game. This is very good news for both the Dodgers and Smith's fantasy owners, as the backstop has been a consistent bat at a shallow position. That being said, Smith is in a bit of a rut right now, slashing just .269/.333/.385 with one homer in July. The veteran will almost assuredly bounce back in August with more typical production.

Jul 31 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Hits The Bench Wednesday Afternoon

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is on the bench for Wednesday afternoon's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Smith started each of the first two games of the three-game set with the Blue Jays, going 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored on Tuesday, but will predictably take a seat in an afternoon contest following an extra-innings victory on Tuesday evening. Smith has not disappointed fantasy managers who took him off the board early as he's hitting .286 with 13 homers, one stolen base, 52 RBI, 52 runs, and an .878 OPS that easily ranks first among qualified backstops. Austin Barnes will catch and hit ninth on Wednesday.

Jul 26 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Absent From Sunday's Lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers backstop Will Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's matchup with Max Scherzer and the New York Mets. The slugger remains a top catcher in all of baseball, as he owns a .273/.389/.483 slash line with 13 bombs, 45 runs, 47 RBI, and one steal over 68 games. Austin Barnes will take care of the catching duties instead and bat ninth. Outside of 2017, the 33-year-old hasn't been much of a factor in any fantasy format and is batting just .104 this season across 33 contests. Fantasy managers should leave him on the waiver wire in all leagues.

Jul 16 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Will Smith Missing From Thursday's Lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is not part of Thursday's lineup versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. It seems to be a day of maintenance for the 28-year-old. Austin Barnes sets up behind the plate to catch Julio Urias and bat ninth for this one. Smith is hitting .272 with 42 runs scored, 12 home runs, 42 RBI, and one stolen base over 224 at-bats this season. Expect the slugging backstop to return to action for a two-game Freeway Series with the Los Angeles Angels starting on Friday.

Jul 6 · Source via Closers Dodgers Will Smith

MLB Announces 2023 All-Star Rosters

The starters for the 2023 All-Star Game were already announced earlier this week, and today the league revealed the reserve selections and the pitching staffs for the National League and American League teams.  Fan balloting determined the game’s starters, while the reserves and pitchers were picked by a combination of the player ballot and selections…

Jul 2 · MLB Trade Rumors Closers Braves Mets Astros Cardinals Rays Marlins Orioles Dodgers Blue Jays Diamondbacks Phillies Mariners Guardians Yankees Reds Rockies Giants Rangers Nationals Twins Padres Red Sox Pirates Tigers Angels Royals White Sox Athletics Cubs Brewers Ozzie Albies Pete Alonso Yordan Alvarez Orlando Arcia Nolan Arenado Randy Arozarena Luis Arraez Felix Bautista Mookie Betts Bo Bichette Yennier Cano Corbin Carroll Nick Castellanos Luis Castillo Luis Castillo Emmanuel Clase Gerrit Cole Alexis Diaz Elias Diaz Camilo Doval Bryce Elder Nathan Eovaldi Freddie Freeman Zac Gallen Adolis Garcia Kevin Gausman Josiah Gray Sonny Gray Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Lourdes Gurriel Josh Hader Austin Hays Jonah Heim Kenley Jansen Aaron Judge Josh Jung Mitch Keller Clayton Kershaw Michael Lorenzen J.D. Martinez Shane McClanahan Whit Merrifield Sean Murphy Shohei Ohtani Matt Olson Salvador Perez Jose Ramirez Austin Riley Luis Robert Brent Rooker Adley Rutschman Corey Seager Marcus Semien Will Smith Will Smith Jorge Soler Juan Soto Justin Steele Spencer Strider Marcus Stroman Dansby Swanson Mike Trout Framber Valdez Devin Williams

Will Smith Being Rested Against Royals

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will get a breather on Sunday as the team takes on the Kansas City Royals. Smith will get a day off after starting the first two games of the three-game weekend series in Kansas City, and he went 1-for-9 with a triple and a run scored on Friday and Saturday. The 28-year-old All-Star backstop is an elite fantasy catcher with his .276/.396/.495 slash line. He's also sporting an .892 OPS, 12 home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 41 RBI and 39 runs scored in 265 trips to the plate over 61 games. Austin Barnes will do the catching for the Dodgers on Sunday and will hit ninth in the batting order against Royals right-hander Brady Singer. Barnes isn't much of a fantasy option at all while hitting just .101 (9-for-89) on the year with no homers and five RBI.

Jul 2 · Source via Dodgers Will Smith

Historic stats obtained free of charge from and are copyrighted by Retrosheet. ATC projections by Ariel Cohen. Steamer projections by Steamer Projections Blog. THE BAT projections by Derek Carty. Zeile Consensus projections by FantasyPros.

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