Will Smith Named to 2023 MLB All-Star Game

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Former Louisville baseball star and current Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has been named to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game as a reserve player, the league announced Sunday.

Smith narrowly lost out on the starting nod at catcher for the National League, with the Atlanta Braves' Sean Murphy getting the start at the backstop for the Midsummer Classic. This is his first time being named an MLB All-Star, with this year's All-Star Game taking place on Tuesday, July 11 at 4:30 p.m. EST from T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash.

The catcher is in the midst of another stellar season in the majors. As of July 2, he is batting .276/.396/.495 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, nine doubles and 41 walks drawn over 61 games played. In the National League so far this season, his on-base percentage ranks sixth, his OPS ranks ninth, and his at-bats per strikeout rate of 6.1 ranks eighth.

Smith has spent his entire professional career in the Dodgers organization after being selected by Los Angeles in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Since being called up in 2019, he has collected 84 home runs with 271 RBI, while batting a slash line of .263/.362/.500 in 419 total games. He also helped the Dodgers win the World Series during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

On a loaded 2016 Louisville baseball squad, the Derby City native and Kentucky Country Day alum was one of the brightest stars. That season as a junior, he slashed .382/.480./.567 - leading the team in all three categories - while also hitting seven home runs and driving in 43 RBI. He was named a 2016 Third-Team All-ACC selection for his efforts.

(Photo of Will Smith: Gary A. Vasquez - USA TODAY Sports)

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