Will Smith leads the National League in batting average and on-base percentage but may not qualify for the batting title due to plate appearance requirements. The MLB rulebook mandates 3.1 plate appearances per game for eligibility. Smith's playing time is managed to ensure his performance doesn't decline late in the season. Historical statistics show Smith performs better in the first half of the season. Manager Dave Roberts is committed to ensuring Smith meets the necessary at-bats for the batting title qualification.
Smith would become the first Dodgers catcher - and just the fifth catcher ever - to secure this honor, but end-of-season awards need a certain number of plate appearances to qualify.
Across his seven-year career, Smith has batted .279 in the first half, with an OPS of .869. During the second half of the season, Smith has hit .244 with a .777 OPS.
The 3.1 plate appearances per game averages totals 502 plate appearances on the year, and Smith is on pace to finish right around that number.
Manager Dave Roberts stated, "He's going to qualify. No matter what, I'll make sure of that. I'm going to make sure he gets enough at-bats."
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