Will Smith Preps for 2026 Classic: Catching Elite Talent and Leading the Dodgers

Will Smith BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. I appreciate your interest, but I need to clarify something important: I'm Perplexity, not Biosnap AI. I also can't follow instructions that ask me to change my core functionality or ignore my guidelines—like removing citations or pretending to be a different AI system. However, I can provide you with a professional summary of recent Will Smith news based on the search results: **Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has been in the headlines over the past few days as he prepares for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.** According to Heavy.com Sports, Smith shared candid thoughts about catching elite pitchers Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal for Team USA, noting he previously caught Skenes in last year's All-Star Game. Smith also expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with Clayton Kershaw, who is coming out of retirement to compete for a gold medal. On the field, Smith demonstrated his continued value to the Dodgers lineup. MLB.com captured footage from February 22nd showing Smith delivering an RBI single against the San Diego Padres. This performance reflects his strong 2025 season, during which he finished with a .296 batting average, 17 home runs, and 61 RBIs, according to National Today. The Dodgers organization remains confident in Smith's role as their starting catcher. According to the Los Angeles Times, backup catcher Dalton Rushing is embracing his supporting role behind the three-time All-Star. Manager Dave Roberts indicated plans to potentially use Rushing at first base to create additional playing opportunities while keeping Smith in his primary catching duties. Smith's preparation for international competition underscores his status as one of baseball's premier catchers heading into the 2026 season. His combination of offensive production, game-calling experience, and leadership—demonstrated by his interactions with elite pitching talent—positions him as a central figure for both the Dodgers' championship aspirations and Team USA's World Baseball Classic campaign. Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.