5. Will Smith– Los Angeles Dodgers
2019 stats: 54 games .253/.337/.571 15 homers 42 RBI
2020 steamer: 98 games .225/303/.439 19 homers 49 RBI
The new Fresh Prince of Bel-Air made his debut in 2019 and is a strong candidate to have a breakout season in 2020 fantasy baseball as the Los Angeles Dodgers number one catcher. Smith was the Dodgers first-round pick back in 2016 but was given a chance this past year behind the dish with Yasmani Grandal gone, and the struggles of Austin Barnes and Russell Martin.
Among catchers with at least 100 plate appearances, Smith was second in WRC+, wOBA, slugging. His 44.6% hard-hit rate was 10th.
I think Steamer’s projection is a bit low. I think he’ll play more than 98 games as the starting catcher. If he has any competition within the Dodgers organization, it’s going to be from prospect Keibert Ruiz, who hit AAA last year. If he does maintain that starting role, he should be able to put up better numbers than that as a part of the core of the Dodgers. If he can maintain what he did in terms of hard-hit rate and run creation, he can be a weapon in 2020 fantasy baseball.