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 > MLB Top 10 Catchers Right Now: Will Smith Ranked By The Shredder
Dodgers NewsFeatured

MLB Top 10 Catchers Right Now: Will Smith Ranked By The Shredder

Matthew Moreno
January 13, 2021
3 Min Read
Will Smith
Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Coming off a season in which he played a key role in the Los Angeles Dodgers winning their first World Series since 1988, Will Smith was ranked among the top 10 catchers by MLB Network’s The Shredder.

Smith, who was only recognized by analysts heading into last season, was ranked No. 3 by The Shredder. With the 2020 campaign shortened to just 60 games, the list for this season was compiled by taking into account a three-year sample.

It also entailed The Shredder rankings from the past two years, Statcast metrics, and the most weight for defense at any position.

The Dodgers have regularly placed a catcher on the list, most notably when Yasmani Grandal was with the organization. He was accompanied in the top 10 by current Dodgers backup catcher Austin Barnes heading into the 2018 season.

The Shredder had Grandal as the No. 1 catcher for the 2020 season, but he was unseated this year by free agent J.T. Realmuto. Though, analysts Mike Petriello and Vince Gennaro still had him at No. 1, while Sarah Langs ranked Grandal behind Realmuto.

Like the The Shredder, Petriello ranked Smith the third-best catcher in baseball, but he was a little further down the list for Gennaro (fourth) and Langs (fifth).

The 25-year-old produced a 1.3 WAR last season, which was 10th best among all catchers. Since 2019, Smith’s .574 slugging percentage and 144 wRC+ both rank first for catchers with at least 300 plate appearances. His .363 on-base percentage during that same span is second-best.

Smith was hurt by some bad luck during the 2020 season but still batted a productive .289/.401/.579 with nine doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBI. His production allowed the Dodgers added flexibility during the postseason as manager Dave Roberts began starting Barnes at catcher and moving Smith to designated hitter.

Although much of the focus went to Smith’s bat, he earned praise from Roberts, Barnes and Clayton Kershaw, among others, for his ability to handle a pitching staff at such a young age.

MLB Top 10 catchers right now for 2021

RankThe ShredderMike PetrielloSarah Langs Vince Gennaro
1J.T. Realmuto (free agent)Yasmani Grandal (White Sox)J.T. Realmuto (free agent)Yasmani Grandal (White Sox)
2Yasmani Grandal (White Sox)J.T. Realmuto (free agent)Yasmani Grandal (White Sox)J.T. Realmuto (free agent)
3Will Smith (Dodgers)Will Smith (Dodgers)Salvador Perez (Royals)Mitch Garver (Twins)
4Willson Contreras (Cubs)Sean Murphy (Athletics)Travis d'Arnaud (Braves)Will Smith (Dodgers)
5Sean Murphy (Athletics)Willson Contreras (Cubs)Will Smith (Dodgers)Salvador Perez (Royals)
6Austin Nola (Padres)Austin Nola (Padres)Willson Contreras (Cubs)Willson Contreras (Cubs)
7Salvador Perez (Royals)Salvador Perez (Royals)James McCann (Mets)Travis d'Arnaud (Braves)
8Travis d'Arnaud (Braves)Christian Vázquez (Red Sox)Sean Murphy (Athletics)Christian Vázquez (Red Sox)
9Mitch Garver (Twins)James McCann (Mets)Roberto Perez (Indians)Jason Castro (free agent)
10James McCann (Mets)Travis d'Arnaud (Braves)Austin Nola (Padres)James McCann (Mets)

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersThe Shredder 2021 RankingsWill Smith
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Video

Dodgers Video: Joe Kelly Breaks Window At Home While Working On Changeup

April 16, 2020
April 16, 2020
Kris-bryant-julio-urias
Dodgers News

2016 NLCS: Cubs, Dodgers Mirror One Another From Front Office To Roster

October 15, 2016
October 17, 2016
Chris Taylor
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Chris Taylor Encouraged By Swing Mechanics

July 3, 2024
July 3, 2024
Joc Pederson, Max Muncy
FeaturedRumors

MLB Free Agent Rumors: Nationals May Look To Sign Joc Pederson

January 7, 2021
January 7, 2021

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