Will Smith

In a lineup with no less than three future Hall of Famers, Smith tends to get overlooked, but he's been a key piece in the Dodgers' success. The catcher set career highs in several categories in 2025, including batting average (.296) and OBP (.404), earning his third consecutive All-Star selection. He cleared 4.0 fWAR for the third time in five years despite falling short of 500 plate appearances for the first time this decade, as he missed the final few weeks of the regular season with a hairline fracture in his right hand. After being limited to pinch-hitting duties in the wild-card round, Smith returned to slash .276/.364/.414 with a couple home runs during the team's postseason run, including the go-ahead homer in Game 7 of the World Series. Promising youngster Dalton Rushing made his MLB debut in 2025, totaling 41 appearances at catcher (37 starts), but Smith remains the clear No. 1 option behind the plate and a regular middle-of-the-order presence for the best team in baseball. Too bad he can't DH on his off days. Read Past Outlooks