Former Dodgers OF Applauds Will Smith Finally Making All-Star Team

Will Smith is making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic

Aug 27, 2019; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Since making his first All-Star team as a reserve on Sunday, Dodgers catcher Will Smith has been receiving praise from his peers on Twitter. 

One of the most recent people to congratulate Smith on making the team is former Dodgers outfielder Steven Souza Jr. 

"This has been long overdue. Most underrated player in Baseball Congrats Willy!"

Via @SouzaJr on Twitter

This has been long overdue. Most underrated player in Baseball Congrats Willy! https://t.co/vUaVAvV0Cl

— Steven Souza Jr. (@SouzaJr) July 3, 2023

Souza was teammates with Smith for 17 games during the 2021 season. When he was with the Dodgers, Souza hit .152 with a home run. 

Smith is making his first All-Star appearance this season despite being one of the best catchers in baseball for the past couple of years. 

Souza has had experiences with catchers in the same clubhouse as him not getting the recognition they deserve.

When he was with the Rays, Souza was on the same team as Wilson Ramos. In 2017, Ramos was having an All-Star type season before he was hit with an injury, limiting him to only 60 games. 

Once Souza left in 2018, Ramos made the AL All-Star team by having another great season. 

Similarly to Ramos, Smith has been snubbed form multiple All-Star teams, but has finally made it. 

Smith has been a top five catcher in baseball this year with a .892 OPS, 12 home runs and 41 RBIs. 

Smith is joining Dodger teammates J.D. Martinez, Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts in Seattle next week for this year's All-Star game.