Dodgers’ Will Smith Discusses Being Shuttled Between LA and OKC
Will Smith deserves more time, plain and simple. He is the Dodgers’ second-best catching prospect, which is now arguable considering Keibert Ruiz’s inability to hit in Tulsa, and he sits in Triple-A behind a struggling Austin Barnes and an aging Russell Martin.
In this article by Hailie Hart, Smith discusses his debut and his shuttling back and forth between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles:
“It’s kind of a whirlwind.” Will Smith has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the OKC Dodgers this season.
He talked about his experience in the big leagues: https://t.co/svnJaHFNVa— Hallie Hart (@halliehart) June 29, 2019
When asked about how his first experience in the big leagues, he had this to say:
“It truly was a dream come true and I played well while I was up there, so it kind of made that experience even better. I couldn’t really ask for anything more.”
It is also good to hear the confidence in Smith by acknowledging that he has been hitting well and implying that he deserves a spot in Los Angeles.
Smith did not seem too angered or annoyed about being up for a cup of coffee and then being sent back down just as fast as he had this to say:
“I have an apartment here, and in LA, I was in a hotel most of the time. Then when I’m on the road, obviously hotels, so when I come back here, it’s nice to have a spot that’s kind of my own.”
Smith’s time will come and it will come soon.
I wish the Dodgers would give Will Smith the opportunity to be The catcher in Los Angeles and jettison either Barnes or Martin, which are automatic-outs when either one plays.
Robin, I would bet that 1,000% of the fans on here totally concur ,as I do. The way FO and Roberts handle guys like Smith ( and he does deserve to be up here now) eventually will alienate the younger player generation from wanting to be in this organization. Barnes has no business still being around here while Smith is stuck at OKC.
From what I saw yesterday, AZUL, there is not time like the present to bring up Will Smith. Barnes is certainly not a hitter of note, and the rust is starting to show on Martin. Neither extends the lineup!!!! With Smith in there, we have solid hitting at every position. As we soon enter the second half of the season, and with Seager about to return, I want to put as much distance between us and the others as is possible. One final note : yesterday’s lineup was most interesting. Again, the platoon ruled, and that I find sad considering the team is off today. Verdugo should of played; JT deservedly got the day off. Go Blue!!!! Go PD Jr.!!!
Disagree w/ younger players not wanting to be in Dodger organization because of how they treat them. Look at the roster and obviously you see many “homegrown” Dodgers! To me that speaks volumes for how they treat and protect the young guys. Be patient!
Beaty who??? – A Young guy they’ve been taking care of and look how it’s paying off. When it’s time for Smith, they’ll give him a call!
the same should be for the starters….if it is time for them to go…..send them down or out…..if smith is ready to come up…..bring him on…….who makes that decision? that’s the big question……known for multi years barnes is a minor leaguer or a bakery salesman and then a team dumps martin on us after he is washed up, a bandaid and that is a dud….our team can’t survive against the american league with 5 auto outs in a row