- Full name Will Smith
- Born Dallas, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Adrian Gonzalez drew most of the attention in the Ugueth Urbina deal, but Smith gave the Rangers a second potent bat. He set the Arizona high school record for homers and has shown a consistent ability to drive the ball as a pro. Some scouts question his power potential, however. That may be because of his slight build or his unorthodox wide-open hitting stance. He was bothered by a wrist injury early last season, though he still managed to hit .313 in April before finally requiring surgery. The operation kept him out for two months and affected him upon his return. Smith didn't endear himself to his new organization with his work habits. His power output would benefit from a more consistent conditioning program, and the Rangers want him to put more time into extra hitting. Smith has to learn to take pitches the other way and buy into Texas' plate-discipline philosophy. He also has room for improvement as a left fielder, though his arm is solid-average. He'll return to Double-A and could be a pleasant surprise after a disappointing start in the Rangers system. -
Smith set the Arizona high school record for career home runs and seems to be growing into his power at the pro level. Despite an unorthodox stance that has been described as Yastrzemski Lite, he continues to stand conventional wisdom on its head. Forget what Smith does as the ball makes it way to home plate. Once it gets there, his bat almost always is in the correct hitting position. He loves to play and appears to be a born hitter with no holes in his swing. The new Marlins regime challenged him to work on other parts of his game, and he made significant progress in those areas. His arm and speed are average. Smith has a tendency to pull off the ball against lefties, but made progress during instructional league after opening his stance. He could draw more walks and needs to get stronger. His arm has improved from below-average, but he remains a so-so corner outfielder at best. After cleaning up in his first three seasons, Smith will go to Double-A. If he stays as serious about the rest of his game as he is about his hitting, his swing could raise major league eyebrows in 2004. -
Smith set the Arizona high school record for career home runs but projects as more of a gap-power run producer. Despite an unorthodox stance that has been described as Yaz Lite, he shows a knack for putting the fat part of the bat on the ball. He wore down late in the season, his first full year in pro ball, but rebounded nicely in instructional league. He dropped his back elbow at the club's urging during instructional league and started hitting more balls with authority to left-center. Smith was given a look in center field but lacks the speed for that position. He has played both corner outfield spots and worked hard to improve his routes and jumps, but his arm is a little short for anything but left field. He's no threat on the bases and needs to work on his upper body as well as his strike-zone judgment, but overall has taken club officials by surprise with his success to this point. -
Smith set the Arizona high school record for career home runs. He showed a surprisingly complete offensive game in the Gulf Coast League, smashing line drives all over the yard with a smooth lefthanded stroke. Pitch him away and he'll stroke a screamer to the left-center gap. Make a mistake inside and he'll lose it in a hurry. Club officials were taken aback at his ability to make consistently hard contact. In the outfield he has a good enough arm to play right but probably projects as more of a left fielder because his routes need a lot of work. Smith has average speed and played some first base as well in his debut season. But the last thing the Marlins need is another first baseman. Some aren't convinced he has a position at all and wonder about the value of a one-way player in a National League organization.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Smith had the most unorthodox stance in the MWL, starting with the bat laying on his shoulders and his elbows raised, and for two months he was as effective as any hitter. He batted .347-9-52 in April and May, then wore down and hit .235-7-39 afterward. Smith's defensive skills and speed are average at best, so his bat will have to carry him. Managers believe that once he gets stronger and acclimated to the long pro season, it will do just that. He has a pretty swing but will need to become more disciplined at the plate.
