Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Speaks on Will Smith’s Playing Time
Top prospect and recent call up Will Smith will reportedly receive the lion’s share of playing time and act as the Dodgers’ primary catcher going forward.
Dave Roberts told me that Will Smith will be the primary #Dodgers catcher and get the "lion share" of the playing time down the stretch. Won't play tonight – will next two nights.
— Casey Stern (@CaseyStern) July 26, 2019
It is about time. Smith had crushed 20 home runs at Triple-A Oklahoma City and fans have long been demanding his promotion. However, Smith should also come with tempered expectations, as I wrote here.
With Austin Barnes being sent down to Triple-A, the only catchers on the roster stand as Will Smith and veteran Russell Martin. Even with Barnes struggling all year, Martin still acted as the backup catcher and only received a couple of starts per week.
Smith will probably be eased into his role as the primary backstop, playing maybe four or five games per week.
Smith hit three home runs and held a .269 batting average and 148 wRC+ in 29 plate appearances with the Dodgers.
It’s fine with me if he is eased into the games starting tomorrow. But I would bat him higher in the lineup due to the power he has shown. It just makes more sense for him to have some sort of protection behind him other than batting 8th in front of the pitcher.