Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Still Confident In Will Smith, But Undecided On Plan For Postseason Starting Catcher
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Still Confident In Will Smith, But Undecided On Plan For Postseason Starting Catcher

Daniel Starkand
September 24, 2019
4 Min Read
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith reacts after striking out against the Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The catching position was in flux for the Los Angeles Dodgers most of this season, with Austin Barnes beginning the year as the starter but rookie Will Smith eventually taking over after bursting onto the scene.

Smith has cooled off at the plate a bit in recent weeks though, batting just .145/.221/.232 with two home runs, six RBI and 24 strikeouts in his past 24 games (18 starts) after having a career-best nine-game hitting streak snapped.

Additionally, his ability to handle the Dodgers’ pitching staff has been called into question a bit as the team’s recent starting pitching struggles have coincided with Smith taking over behind the plate.

Whether causation or coincidence, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has continued to have Smith make regular starts behind the plate in attempt to further develop chemistry. “I don’t think it’s necessarily fighting the numbers,” Roberts said.

“Yeah, the numbers, we value them and they’re important, but there’s other things like trying to increase the familiarity. I don’t think it’s just who’s catching a guy. There’s pitch execution, there’s umpires and who’s behind the plate, who’s swinging the bats, there’s a lot of things.

“I just think it makes most sense for us to get Walker with Russell, and then also to give Will another opportunity to get with Hyun-Jin and see how they fare.”

Smith is expected to continue getting opportunities to catch the Dodgers’ top starters, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu to finish out the regular season. Roberts expressed confidence in the rookie that he will be able to right the ship.

“I don’t think right now we have to be at a point where we can’t entertain Will catching Hyun-Jin,” he said. “And Hyun-Jin will say it himself: if he’s on and executing pitches, it doesn’t matter who’s catching.”

Such was the case Sunday afternoon, when Ryu and Smith appeared to have an early rhythm. Ryu additionally apologized for and took ownership of his struggles reflecting poorly on the rookie catcher.

While Roberts believes Smith is capable of being the team’s starter in the postseason, he would not commit to that being the case yet.

“When you look at the big sample, it matters. There’s nothing set in stone as far as the catching heading into the postseason,” Roberts noted. “But I think for us we need to continue to run the play out so we can make as educated decision as possible.”

Both Barnes and Russell Martin have a wealth of playoff experience, which Smith obviously lacks. But there is no denying what Smith is capable of as he showed it immediately when he was called up.

The Dodgers will be hoping that he can get back to that level before the start of the postseason, but if he doesn’t, that could make for some tough decisions come October.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Dave RobertsLos Angeles DodgersRussell MartinWill Smith
ByDaniel Starkand
Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com, Daniel also writes for LakersNation.com. Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers NewsFeatured

Former Dodgers All-Star Yasiel Puig Attended 2022 MLB Winter Meetings

December 8, 2022
December 9, 2022
Dave Roberts
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dave Roberts Surprised By Concern Surrounding Dodgers

September 28, 2024
September 28, 2024
Photo: Dodgers Write Kenley Jansen Apology, Leave Favorite Snacks To Compensate For Lack Of Save Opportunities
Dodgers News

Photo: Dodgers Write Kenley Jansen Apology, Leave Favorite Snacks To Compensate For Lack Of Save Opportunities

May 30, 2017
May 31, 2017
Ross-stripling2-1
Dodgers Minor LeaguesDodgers News

Dodgers News: Ross Stripling To Work On Innings Limit With Triple-A Oklahoma City

May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어