MLB analyst believes Will Smith will thrive in increased role for Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023: "[Will Smith] is drastically underrated"

The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't done much this offseason aside from losing a few key pieces. However, they're still expected to be one of the best teams in baseball thanks to players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.

Smith, the catcher, has been an unsung player on the roster for a while now. MLB insider Mike Stanton believes that he'll have a much bigger role now thanks to those departures and that he'll shine.

Amidst inevitable roster turnover, Will Smith remains the total package for L.A. behind the dish.

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His co-host said:

"I think [Will Smith] has quietly become one of their main core guys. Now that you have no Trea Turner there, I'd say, position player-wise, after Betts and Freeman, he's probably third, right? As far as importance level in that lineup and on that team?"

Stanton added:

"He may be more. He may be more important than either one of them because of the defensive side of the ball. We just talked about how good their ERA has been. What's been the common factor?"

He continued:

"Now, he doesn't catch every single day, no catcher does... He's the dude behind the plate that's working that pitching staff. That's why when you get a catcher that can swing the bat like Will does, when you get a catcher that can handle both sides... [Will Smith is] drastically underrated."

He finished:

"He's a very good offensive player, he's got power. Nice, short, compact swing. We've seen him get some big hits and big RBIs. The defensive side, we just keep talking about the pitchers... There's a tandem there that has to be considered and that's the guy behind the dish."

Smith suddenly has a much bigger role now that Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger and others have left.

Los Angeles Dodgers expected lineup: Where does Will Smith fit in?

The Los Angeles Dodgers boasted one of the deepest lineups in baseball last season. That's not the case anymore.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a much weaker roster this year

Now, players like Will Smith will suddenly be in key spots in the lineup more often:

Mookie Betts, RF
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Will Smith, C
J.D. Martinez, DH
Max Muncy, 3B
Gavin Lux, SS
Trayce Thompson, LF
Chris Taylor, 2B
James Outman, CF

They'll still be a good team, but this is a far weaker lineup this year.