GLENDALE, Ariz. — Will Smith’s high-profile 2023 just kicked into high gear, as the Dodgers catcher left camp this week to join Team USA for its World Baseball Classic run.
A National League All-Star snub in 2022, Smith has been able to temper any disappointment he might have felt by becoming one of three USA catchers along with the Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto and the Yankees’ Kyle Higashioka.
When Smith returns to the Dodgers in advance of the March 30 season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, even more responsibility awaits. Manager Dave Roberts all but confirmed Wednesday that Smith is set to open the season as the Dodgers’ No. 3 hitter in the team’s revamped lineup.
“It’s hard to go wrong with him in the three,” Roberts said Wednesday. “A guy that can hit left, hit right, he can drive runs in, values the walk, so it makes sense.”
Smith showed lineup versatility last season, opening the year in the No. 6 spot before moving to the No. 4 hole by the start of May when production in the cleanup spot was lacking. There was even a short stay as a No. 3 hitter last season when an injury to Mookie Betts caused a ripple effect that moved him up a spot.
“Speaking to Will, just a guy that can hit in a lot of different roles and so it just allows for more optionality lineup construction-wise,” said Roberts, who was looking for a new hitter near the top of the order with the departure of Trea Turner. “He gets on base, knows how to drive in a run, he can hit for average, slug when we need that. So anywhere from three, four or five, yeah it makes sense.”
As a No. 4 hitter in 89 games last season, Smith had a .334 on-base percentage and a .762 OPS while driving in 58 runs. In 23 games as a No. 3 hitter, he was able to change his approach and drive the ball more with a .317 OPB, a .927 OPS and 14 RBIs.
Expected to follow Smith in the cleanup spot this season is Max Muncy, creating a right-left-right-left combination of Mookie Betts, Freddie…
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