When 2015 NL Cy Young runner-up Zack Greinke declined to re-sign with the Dodgers this past off-season two things happened: 1) It upset a lot of Dodger fans and; 2) It gave the Dodgers a first round, 32nd overall compensatory pick in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft. And though it will probably take some time for upset Dodger fans to get over losing Greinke to the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks, by all appearances the Dodgers did exceptionally well with that 32nd overall draft pick when they selected catcher Will Smith out of the University of Louisville.

Although several mock drafts had the 21-year-old Smith ranked fairly high, his selection by the Dodgers caught most of the so-called draft experts off guard. In fact, Perfect Game had Smith ranked 38th and projected to go to the Colorado Rockies while Baseball America had him targeted for the St. Louis Cardinals as the 34th pick. But it was Bleacher Report that almost nailed it when they projected Smith to be the 33rd overall pick going the Cardinals, who had the 33rd and 34th first-round compensatory picks.

Lo and behold, Greinke’s unexpected departure netted the Dodgers one of the top-ranked collegiate-level catchers in the country; one who had just competed in the 2016 College World Series.

After his selection by the Dodgers, Smith quickly signed for $1.775 million; a full $165,700 under the slotted amount for the 32nd overall pick. Needless to say, this immediately endeared him with the Dodgers brass. But it was what the 6′-0″- 192-pound Louisville, Kentucky native did over the next two months – first with the Ogden Raptors of the short-season Pioneer Rookie League and then with the Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League – that really made Dodgers executives happy with their selection.

It took exactly 53 days from the day that Will Smith was drafted by the Dodgers to be promoted to the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In his combined 29 games with the Raptors and Loons, Smith went 30 for 109 (.275) with one double, two home runs and 12 RBIs. But what the Dodgers liked most about their number two draft pick was the way that he carried himself both on and off the field. And because he had been drafted out of college, he was also a bit older than most of the other kids at both Ogden and Midland. This led to his quick promotion to the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on August 1, much to the satisfaction of Quakes manager Drew Saylor.

“He has some leadership qualities, he’s a guy coming from a very good college program,” Saylor said. “You can tell that he’s been well versed in what he needs to do and where he fits in the grand scheme of things in terms of team dynamics. He’s really taken to our preparation and what it takes to be the guy behind home plate and making all the calls, not just pitches but alignments and stuff like that, and he’s a guy who has kind of taken to that.

“He really kind of rapidly came on board with where we needed him to be at,” added Saylor. “I think that’s the biggest thing, for me, he’s done so far … just being ready to jump in there and do what he needs to do to help our pitching staff and help us win.”

Blazing through two minor league levels in less than two months is no easy task and brings with it some challenges; challenges which Smith openly embraces.

“It’s been a pretty hectic summer,” Smith said. “I’ve been with three different teams now and it’s been a fun ride. I’m learning something new every day. It’s been good.”

To the surprise of no one, the Andrew Friedman / Farhan Zaidi-led Dodgers already have Smith playing defensive positions other than just catching; something that both Saylor and Smith are very much in favor of.

“The versatility is definitely there. There is a guy that was with Cleveland for a while that was a catcher / middle infielder, Tony Wolters I think, who went to Colorado when Cleveland didn’t protect him [from the Rule 5 Draft]. I see a lot of that versatility in Will,” Saylor said. “You look at him behind the plate – he’s got tremendous hands, unbelievable release, extremely strong arm – and then you put him in the middle infield you’d think there might be a little tardiness with the feed but that’s not it.

“He’s a guy who can move his feet just like he was a normal middle infielder,” Saylor added. “To be able to have that type of versatility I think is a tremendous advantage for him in his career and also to our organization, as we preach versatility. So it’s really special to see that.”

As you might expect, Smith concurs wholeheartedly with his manager.

“The Dodgers really like versatility,” echoed Smith. “I knew I could play a little bit of infield, it’s what I did in high school, so they’re giving me a shot at that. I’ll take any opportunity I can get.”

While at Ogden Smith caught five games and played one game at second base. At Great Lakes he caught 17 games, played three games at second base and two at third base; and since arriving at Rancho Cucamonga on August 1 he has caught five games, played third base twice and second base once. And though he has yet to really find his swing at the plate, he has a combined slash-line of .259 / .359 / .350 for an OPS of .709 in the 37 minor league games in which he has appeared thus far. He has also slugged four home runs and driven in 15 in his combined 167 plate appearances.

Even though Smith was drafted as a catcher, he says he is comfortable playing wherever the Dodgers want him to play. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

So what does Smith see as the biggest difference between rookie ball and Low-A as compared to Advanced Single-A?

“Great Lakes was pretty similar but it was a much younger team so we dealt with a little more immaturity there; where as here guys are more mature,” Smith said. “They know what to do every day and are more dedicated to the stuff you see behind the scenes, like scouting (opposing players) and stuff like that. They’re better at it here.

“The coaching staffs are different each place; everyone’s got their own personality, own coaching style,” Smith added. “But I’ve gotten along with all of the coaches so far, so there’s no problem or anything.”

For you old-schoolers there’s something else that you will like about Will Smith – he never wears batting gloves.

“I’ve just never liked them, never worn them, never liked them. I just feel the bat better without them on,” said Smith. “Growing up – when I was little – I never wore them … just kind of never put ’em on.”

Although it is way too early to even begin to predict how well Smith will do as he makes his way through the Dodgers farm system, you’ve certainly got to like what you see in this very talented young man thus far. It’s also easy to see why the Dodgers selected him as their second draft pick behind only 18-year-old shortstop Gavin Lux in the 2016 draft.