In what’s been a week filled with significant Minor League roster movement, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that catching prospect Will Smith was promoted from Double-A Tulsa to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Smith, a first-round draft selection in 2016, was in the midst of a breakout season for the Drillers. In 73 games, he hit .264/.358/.532 with 14 doubles, 19 home runs and 53 RBI over 307 plate appearances.
The 23-year-old had especially thrived in July, finishing the month with six doubles, eight home runs and a .917 on-base plus slugging across 120 trips to the plate. Smith’s recent hot streak garnered national attention, as he placed No. 73 in MLB Pipeline’s top-100 prospects midseason update.
Smith was one of four Dodgers products to crack the list, joining outfielder Alex Verdugo (29), fellow catcher Keibert Ruiz (38) and right-hander Dustin May (82).
Moreover, MLB Pipeline ranked Smith as the Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect following his first-half success with Double-A Tulsa. That represents a six-spot jump in the rankings with him previously checking in at No. 9 prior to the start of the regular season.
Smith’s emergence further deepens an already talented catching corps within the organization. Along with Austin Barnes and Yasmani Grandal at the Major League level, the Dodgers additionally boast Ruiz and newly-signed top prospect of the 2018-19 international signing period, Diego Cartaya, in the Minor League ranks.
Smith now looks to find success with an Oklahoma City club that is positioned for another postseason berth. The Dodgers enter play on Thursday with a 59-47 record — good for first place in the Pacific Coast League American Northern division.
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