William Dills Smith Bio
William Dills Smith is an American professional baseball catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Louisville Cardinals. He was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft and made his MLB debut in 2019. Smith is a three-time All-Star and won the World Series with the Dodgers in 2020, 2024, and 2025, securing the latter championship with an 11th-inning home run in Game 7. Internationally, Smith represents the United States.
Early Life and Background
William Dills Smith was born on March 28, 1995, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the son of Mark and Julie Smith and has a younger sister named Sara. Growing up, Smith was a fan of the Boston Red Sox, idolizing players such as Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkilis, and David Ortiz. He attended Kentucky Country Day School, where he excelled in baseball during his senior year, hitting .528 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Louisville, where he continued to develop his skills as a catcher.
Path to Baseball
While at the University of Louisville, Smith played collegiate summer baseball for the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, helping the team win the league championship. He also played for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2015. In his junior season in 2016, he had an impressive batting average of .382 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs, which led to him being selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the MLB draft. He signed with the Dodgers for a $1.775 million signing bonus.
William Dills Smith Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
Smith began his professional career with the Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer Baseball League before quickly moving up to the Class-A Great Lakes Loons. He played in a total of 55 games across various minor league teams, hitting a combined .246. In 2017, he was named to the California League mid-season All-Star team. However, injuries plagued his early career, including a fractured hand that sidelined him for part of the 2018 season.
Breakthrough (2019-Present)
Smith made his MLB debut on May 28, 2019, against the New York Mets, where he recorded two hits in four at-bats. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Dodgers, hitting a walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in his first month. In the 2020 season, he played a crucial role in the Dodgers’ World Series victory, contributing significantly in the postseason.
Notable Works and Milestones
Smith’s signature work includes his performance in the 2025 World Series, where he hit the game-winning home run in Game 7. He has been recognized as a three-time All-Star and has won the World Series three times with the Dodgers.
William Dills Smith Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Smith has received multiple nominations for his outstanding performances, including selections to the All-Star Game from 2023 to 2025.
William Dills Smith Awards Won
Smith has won several prestigious awards, including three World Series championships in 2020, 2024, and 2025. He has also been recognized as an All-Star in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
William Dills Smith Family
William Dills Smith is married to Cara Martinell, whom he wed in December 2020. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in October 2022.
Personal Life
Smith is known for his philanthropic efforts, co-founding the Catching Hope Foundation with his wife to support youth communities and educational initiatives in Kentucky. He is often referred to by the nickname “The Fresh Prince,” a playful nod to the television show starring actor Will Smith, which sometimes leads to confusion with the pitcher of the same name.
