Dodgers: Dave Roberts Draws Comparisons Between Will Smith and Yasiel Puig
The Dodgers beat the Padres by a score of 8-2 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night. The game feature more heroics by rookie catcher Will Smith.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about Smith and his performance.
Dave Roberts reflects on what he's seen from Will Smith during his time with the #Dodgers and more after tonight's comeback win vs. SD. pic.twitter.com/vdYDp3CcCn
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 2, 2019
He keeps coming up with big hits. It’s just one of those things right now, he’s got clarity in the box, and he’s just conducting good at-bats, he’s just doing a great job of staying in the strike zone, and putting the ball in the air, and putting the barrel to it, fortunately for us guys are on base when he comes up, and can’t say enough about his process, his work, and obviously the performance.
When asked about other rookies that he’s seen play with this kind of “poise and coolness” in big situations, Roberts was guarded about a wild player comparison.
I’m cautious to make this comparison, but Puig was like this when he came up. So, that’s the only time I’ll compare Will Smith and Yasiel Puig, but he’s coming up and that excitement, when he comes up, guys want to watch him, and that expectation, and anticipation when he steps up, and then the delivery, so it’s good to see.
Yasiel Puig made his Major League debut in 2013, playing in 104 games and batting .319 with 19 HRs and 42 RBI. Moreover, in his first 14 games, he batted .472 while adding 4 HRs and 10 RBI, and playing electric defense in right field.
Los Angeles was in love with its Wild Horse.
Will Smith has a similar effect now in the early goings — 4 difference making homers will do that for you — but I believe Will Smith is a different breed. He is on pace to hit over 750 HRs by the time his career comes to an end, which is a crazy statistic just to even think about, and of course not realistic.
While Dave Roberts compared Will Smith to Yasiel Puig with caution, most of us know how good Puig was when he had first joined the Dodgers. Will Smith has a ton of potential, and it’s safe to say, the Dodgers have a win-now team, and a team for the future as well.
There’s no doubt the Dodgers have the best scouts and managing in the game. I get the chance to see games all over the country, and analysts are in awe and talk about the Dodgers. It’s respect with aspersions toward “big market / big money.
Puig was a head case, while Smith is not nor ever will be.