What Does the Will Smith Extension Mean for the Dodgers’ Top Catching Prospects?

Earlier this week, the Dodgers made history by signing catcher Will Smith to the longest contract ever for a player drafted by the organization — 10 years, $140 million. Now that he’s likely to retire a Dodger, this contract has implications for several key members of the team’s farm system.

A quick note about this extension: most likely, Smith will not play catcher for a good portion of this deal. Chances are the Dodgers will move Smith to a corner infield position as he ages, to better protect his body.

As good as the Dodgers are at developing pitchers, they might be even better at developing catchers. In 2019, prospect Keibert Ruiz co-headlined the trade for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. Just two years ago, Diego Cartaya was the highest-ranked prospect in the farm system at just 21 years old. This year, the team’s No. 1 prospect is another catcher — Dalton Rushing.

All of this is to say the Dodgers are loaded with catching talent, but now have someone literally blocking playing time for the foreseeable future. With Smith locked up, the Dodgers open the door for trading some of that talent.

The Future for the Dodgers at Catcher

Cartaya could see himself included in a trade package. While he has the highest ceiling of all the prospects, he just will not get the playing time he needs in Los Angeles. The Dodgers could leverage this high ceiling to land a high-level major-league player.

For what it’s worth, Cartaya told Dodgers Nation last year that he would be open to a position change. He made it clear he just wants to do what he can to earn playing time.

The Dodgers drafted Rushing back in 2022 and he has mashed his way through the minor leagues. At 23 years old, he still needs more seasoning but could certainly back up Smith in a few years.

Yes, Rushing is older than Cartaya. However, Cartaya is more major-league-ready and will need to be on a major-league roster sooner. This timeline does not align with the Smith extension, making Cartaya more likely to be traded.

Then there’s 20-year-old Thayron Liranzao, who could be the Dodgers’ everyday catcher after they move Smith off the position. A switch-hitting catcher, the Dodgers signed Liranzo from the Dominican Republic back in 2021 and he now ranks 10th in the organization according to MLB.com.

During his time in the minor leagues, his hitting has improved every year headlined by a .962 OPS in Single-A. By the time he’s ready to be called up to the Dodgers, they could be ready to move Smith to either third base or first base.

One note on Liranzo: the Dodgers have tried playing him at first base this season, clearly looking ahead with the young prospect.

The Dodgers preach flexibility and “optionality,” and they have done that with the catching position. Whatever they need, and whenever they need it, they have someone waiting in the wings for the opportunity.

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