Perez vs Smith 2026 Fantasy Comparison

Salvador Perez's Season

We said that “Father Time is undefeated” in multiple articles this off-season.  Well, there were two players over 34 years old who hit 30+ home runs last year and Sal Perez was one of them.  The power is still there.  The Royals have also used him at DH and first base to help keep him in the lineup without the wear and tear that the catcher position takes.

When Sal Perez heads to the plate, he is not likely to walk.  He does not hit for a high batting average and he does not run fast.  

Last year, he had a .236 batting average with 30 home runs while driving in 100, but only scoring 54.  He has six career stolen bases so forget that.

Will Smith's Year

Will Smith was a difficult to figure out player in 2025.  The Fresh Prince delivered strong numbers in the summer after looking like a “slap” hitter in spring with only five home runs through June 1. With a late August injury, the 30-year-old played just 110 games.  

Where Smith shines is in getting on base.  He had a .404 on base percentage and batted almost .300.

Smith had a .296 batting average in 362 at bats hitting 17 home runs while driving in 61 and scoring 64 in the middle of baseball’s most prolific lineup.  Like Perez, Smith does not run a lot.

2026 Projections Head-to-Head

Playing Time 

For your catchers, you generally want two things: at-bats for counting numbers, power production and a batting average that won’t hurt you.  

Playing on a team with Shohei Ohtani on it means that Smith cannot play DH when he is not catching.  The Dodgers also have an exciting young catcher/outfielder in Dalton Rushing.  He only played 53 games last year, but he bats lefthanded and could steal some at-bats from Smith.  That means there is a cap on his at-bats and we shouldn’t expect more than 450 or so. 

Perez is a “rock” when it comes to being on the field.  He has played in 150+ games each of the last two seasons by playing between 65-75 games at first base and DH.  Expect 550 at-bats.

Power and RBI

When we talk about power numbers, Perez will dominate Will Smith with closer to 100 runs batted in while Smith will be lucky to get 75.

Average and Runs 

When pitting them against each other on average and run scored, Smith slaps the rock, Sal Perez, in the face.  Smith will bat between .270 and .280 while Perez will hit .230.  Smith will score 75 runs and Perez just 50.

Team Lineup

Both players bat in the clean up spot with an MVP candidate leading off.  However, there are no better second and third hitters than Mookie Bettsand Kyle Tucker.  Smith will also be protected with Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez batting behind him.  The lineup is much stronger than the young with a lot of potential Kansas City Royals even with the fences moved in at Kauffman Stadium.

Final Recommendation

Well, here we are.  Playing time vs. better stats.  Perez will play more.  Smith will be on base a much higher percent of the time per plate appearance.  I cannot in good conscience recommend a 36-year-old player to be drafted on your team.  You never want to roster a player when it all comes apart.  You want to draft a player when the wheel goes round.

That is not to say this is a ringing endorsement for Will Smith, who will be 31 this season, has competition and cannot play DH when he is not catching.  Reluctantly, I go with WIll Smith when confronted with that choice.

Baseball is Life.

Looking for more help with your 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft? Check these top 20 positional rankings:

• Top 20 Starting Pitchers
• Top 20 Relief Pitchers
• Top 20 Catchers
• Top 20 First Basemen
• Top 20 Second Basemen
• Top 20 Third Basemen
• Top 20 Shortstops
• Top 20 Outfielders
• Top 20 Designated Hitters

People Also Ask

Who has higher fantasy value 2026: Perez or Smith?
Perez edges power/RBI; Smith AVG/OBP.

Salvador Perez 2026 outlook at 36?
Still top-10 power catcher.

Will Smith Dodgers fantasy impact?
Lineup support for runs/OBP.

Best veteran catchers 2026?
These two lead mid-tier reliability.

Perez vs Smith projections?
Perez HR/RBI vs Smith AVG/OBP.