Smith once again led by example in the absence of regular skipper Michael Clarke on day one of the third Test with India at the MCG.
The 25-year-old showed maturity beyond his years throughout on Boxing Day, helping to steady the ship after the quickfire dismissals of Rogers (57) and Shane Watson (52) left Australia 115-3 in the 38th over.
Smith ended the day unbeaten on 72 as he joined David Warner - dismissed for a duck on Boxing Day - on 1,000 runs for the calendar year, with the hosts reaching stumps 259-5.
And Rogers feels his team-mate - who has failed to reach 50 only once in the current series, which Australia lead 2-0 - has elevated himself to the very top of the game with his excellent form.
"There's definitely an echelon of batsmen at the moment who seem to be above and beyond," explained Rogers after the close of play in Melbourne.
"AB [de Villiers, of South Africa], Davey [Warner], and now Smudger [Smith].
"It's phenomenal to watch and it's great to be part of - he's just growing day by day. It's scary how good he can be.
"You can see someone threw a ball back at him today and he had the confidence to say a few words back at him.
"It looks as if he knows he belongs and he knows he's one of the better players in the world at the moment.
"That's great to see."