Will Smith has been a key contributor for the Los Angeles Dodgers since making his MLB debut in 2019, and that is once again holding true this season.
Smith has jumped out to perhaps the best start of his career as he enters play Monday hitting .367/.404/.520 with nine doubles, two home runs and 21 RBI in 109 plate appearances (25 games).
The 29-year-old has thrived as the cleanup hitter in the Dodgers lineup despite not getting as much attention as Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
With the month of April coming to a close, Smith has already added his name to the record books. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Smith became the fourth player in MLB history to have at least four hits in three different countries or territories during the same season.
with 4-hit games this season in South Korea, the US and now Canada, Will Smith is the 4th player to have a game with 4+ hits in 3 different countries/territories in a single season, joining:
2019 DJ LeMahieu: England, USA, Canada
2004 Endy Chavez: USA, Puerto Rico, Canada
2003…— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 27, 2024
Smith’s first four-hit performance of the 2024 season came against the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series finale on March 21. He later recorded four-hit games at Wrigley Field and Nationals Park before doing so in the Dodgers’ 12-2 win at Rogers Centre in Canada on Saturday.
Smith is still looking for his first four-hit performance at Dodger Stadium, but he did have three hits against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 30.
Dodgers value ‘quality at-bat’ from Will Smith
If there’s an area that Smith can improve in, it’s hitting for more power. His slugging percentage is over .500, but he has just the two home runs on the year so far.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he isn’t concerned and would rather Smith continue with a steady approach that in turn will fuel more extra-base hits.
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