Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defends Will Smith's position as the best catcher in baseball, despite tough competition from Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners. Smith leads the National League in important metrics, boasting a .330 batting average, .425 on-base percentage, and .966 OPS. Raleigh leads MLB with 32 home runs and an impressive 1.053 OPS. While offensive statistics weigh heavily in the debate, the defensive metrics indicate different strengths, with Raleigh outperforming Smith in framing but both facing challenges in blocks.
"Well, I'm biased, number one. I just think that his ability to get a big hit, I think that the throwing, I think what he does with our pitchers, which I don't know what Cal does, the ability to drive in runs, to hit left, hit right," Roberts said.
"So that's for me. And I think the consistency. I think Will has done it for four years, something like that, and performed at a high level."
"Offensively, it is hard to do what Raleigh does, not only as a catcher and not only as a switch-hitter, but one who plays in Seattle's T-Mobile Park, ranked a league-worst 91 Park Factor for hitters."
"Speaking of defense, Smith is graded below average compared to qualified catchers, ranking in just the fourth percentile of framing, and the 15th percentile of blocks above average."
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