Dodgers Draft: Best compensatory picks in franchise history

2) Dodgers best compensatory picks: Will Smith (2016, 32nd)

It’s possible one day Will Smith proves to be the best compensatory pick in Dodgers history. The young catcher made his major league debut last season, playing in 46 games behind the plate, and flashed impressive power by hitting 15 home runs and driving in 42 RBIs.

When Zack Greinke signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers received the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 draft as compensation, which they used to select Smith out of the University of Louisville.

By the end of the 2018 season, Smith was ranked among the top 60 prospects in the majors by Baseball Prospectus, despite struggling in Triple-A Oklahoma City. After a rebound season in OKC in 2019, he was called up to the Dodgers where he showed he belongs.

Smith will likely split the catching duties with Austin Barnes, if a 2020 season ever gets going. But it won’t be too long before the 25-year-old is the full-time catcher for years to come.