While the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a strong case to be the latest MLB dynasty by winning back-to-back World Series titles and three in the last six years, their franchise history and success since 2000 is a mixed bag.
Up until the current era, there were middling levels of postseason accomplishments since the turn of the century. But there have also been impressive individual performances and players who carved out a special place in the Dodgers’ franchise history.
The DodgerBlue.com staff has ranked the best Dodgers players in the last 25 years. Among various factors considered, the all-time Dodgers list was compiled by evaluating a player’s contributions and significance to the franchise.
Dodgers quarter-century all-time team
No. 11: Will Smith
Will Smith was a first-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Louisville and signed on July 17, 2016. He spent parts of four seasons working his way up through the Dodgers’ farm system and was eventually promoted to the Majors on May 27, 2019, to replace the injured Austin Barnes.
Smith made a good first impression, hitting .269/.345/.654 in 26 at-bats during his first two months in the Majors. He also helped the Dodgers set a new Major League record with the team’s third rookie walk-off home run in a row on June 23, 2019.
Smith briefly returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City but was recalled to the Majors again on July 26 to replace Barnes as the primary catcher. With nine homers and 26 RBI in his first 23 games, the rookie passed Cody Bellinger for the most in franchise history through that many contests.
Over the next handful of seasons, Smith established himself as one of the best offensive catchers in baseball. From 2019-2023, Smith ranked second among all catchers in wRC+ at 128. Only Adley Rutschman and Mitch Garver were better, but both had roughly 800 fewer at-bats.
That was enough motivation for the Dodgers to lock Smith up long-term, agreeing to a 10-year, $140 million contract extension. Before the extension, Smith was set to become a free agent after the 2025 season.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Smith’s offensive prowess was that his accomplishments were under suboptimal conditions. For as great as his numbers were, they consistently dropped off toward the end of the season.
But the Dodgers found the solution for that issue in 2025, which involved carefully managing his workload over the course of the season. It translated to great success, as Smith enjoyed a career year, batting .296/.404/.497 with 20 doubles and 17 home runs in 110 games.
With the conclusion of the 2025 season, Smith’s 128 wRC+ is now first among all catchers since he debuted in 2019 (min. 2,000 plate appearances).
Smith’s contributions to the Dodgers go beyond the regular season, as he is currently second all-time in postseason RBI among catchers. His postseason highlights include a clutch three-run homer in Game 5 of the 2020 National League Championship Series and his most recent series-defining solo shot in Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
So far in his Dodgers career, Smith has hit .264/.358/.476 with 128 doubles, 128 home runs and 442 RBI.
Smith remains under contract through the 2033 season, giving him plenty of time to improve his standing in both the Dodgers’ and Major League record books.
No. 12: Cody Bellinger
No. 13: Adrián Beltré
No. 14: Walker Buehler
No. 15: Andre Ethier
No. 16: Eric Gagné
No. 17: Shawn Green
No. 18: Manny Ramirez
No. 19: Gary Sheffield
No. 20: Adrián González
No. 21: Yasiel Puig
No. 22: Chris Taylor
No. 23: Russell Martin
No. 24: Kiké Hernández
No. 25: Miguel Rojas
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