Atlanta Braves: Will Smith Thriving in New Setup Role

After serving because the nearer of the Atlanta Braves throughout a World Collection championship run, Will Smith is flourishing in a brand new function for the group. 

One of many first individuals Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos known as earlier than making the transfer for Kenley Jansen was Will Smith.

He didn’t need there to be any animosity or damage emotions with AA basically changing a World Collection nearer in Will Smith for Jansen.

Will Smith’s response — I simply need one other parade.

After all, it will be comprehensible if his satisfaction had been damage just a little, however that actually has not affected his efficiency on the sector.

Braves — Will Smith Shining in New Position

The previous nearer is now into a job that at all times appeared to go well with him finest as a setup man.

Whereas nonetheless a really small pattern dimension this 12 months with simply 7 video games performed, Will Smith has allowed simply 3 hits, 3 walks, and a pair of earned runs in 7.1 innings with 5 strikeouts.

Each of the runs given up had been solo house runs, which has been an issue for him since becoming a member of Atlanta.

However you take a look at the metrics, and he’s within the 88th percentile for common exit velocity in opposition to, 83rd percentile in HardHit%, and 88th percentile in chase charge.

He’s not getting hit exhausting and he’s getting a whole lot of weak contact on balls outdoors of the zone.

The rate is down just a little on all of his pitches — 92.8 MPH on the fastball to 91.6 MPH, and 82.2 MPH on the slider to 80.9 MPH — however that hasn’t appeared to harm his effectiveness.

Once more, small pattern dimension, however he’s throwing his slider just a little extra usually this 12 months, and batters are hitting simply .091 in opposition to that pitch with a 46.2% whiff charge.

Brian Snitker has carried out an important job of utilizing Smith in additional low-leverage conditions, dealing with the underside of the order within the seventh or eighth innings.

This seems to be an important spot for Smith to thrive, and it’s nice to see that he’s taken to his new function and responded positively.