Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is one of the best hitting catchers in the game of baseball today.
His power is a huge complement to a team that already has Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, and Cody Bellinger in its lineup.
Aside from sharing a name with an iconic actor, Smith has found himself in some other legendary company as of late.
During Monday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Smith blasted a solo home run out to left field for the 50th of his career.
Last night’s game was the 233rd of Smith’s career, which puts him in the same company as another Dodgers catcher who needed 233 games to get to 50 homers, one of the all-time greats in Mike Piazza.
Dodgers catchers Will Smith and Mike Piazza each needed exactly 233 games to hit 50 career HR.
By games played, they're the two fastest catchers to reach 50 HR in National League history (h/t @EliasSports), minimum of 50% of games played at catcher. pic.twitter.com/QjQNdypmPO
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 26, 2022
Smith Joins Elite Company
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Smith and Piazza are the two fastest catchers to reach 50 career homers in National League history, with a minimum of 50% of their games played being at the catcher position.
Not many players can say that they’re in the same company as Piazza.
It’s rare and it’s impressive.
Not that this is any indication, but Piazza is a Hall-of-Famer.
To be in the same company as a Hall-of-Famer is quite an accomplishment by the young Smith.
On top of joining some elite company, Smith also caught a complete game shutout from Walker Buehler as the Dodgers cruised to a 4-0 win at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Smith sure had quite the night.
The 27-year-old got to take part in two major milestones, those being his 50th career homer and Buehler’s first ever complete game shutout.
Not many players can say they took part in two major milestones in the same game.
NEXT: Walker Buehler Chasing Clayton Kershaw In Elite Dodgers History