Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith is currently leading the National League in batting average (and on-base percentage), but may not be able to win the NL batting title.
Smith would become the first Dodgers catcher — and just the fifth catcher ever — to secure this honor, but end-of-season awards need a certain number of plate appearances to qualify. Due to Smith — and most catchers in general — not playing every day, he is at risk of falling under the requirement.
The official MLB rulebook states that “a batter must record at least 3.