Chicago White Sox rookie has a rough outing in his first All-Star appearance

Since Smith was the only White Sox player lucky enough to make the All-Star Team, fans had hoped he’d do well. Unfortunately, that was not what happened, with Smith coming in to start the bottom of the eighth inning and hitting Arizona Diamondbacks’ third baseman Eugenio Suárez on the hand in a 2-1 count.

Smith had come close to hitting Suárez with the first pitch in the at-bat, buzzing a 96-mph fastball under his hands.

“Eugenio Suárez is checked by trainers after being hit in the hand by the pitch.”

Smith did settle down and got Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood to ground out to Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia for a fielder’s choice. Smith was a part of one of the more special moments in last night’s game, with Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre for the New York Yankees, and last night’s host, the Atlanta Braves, came out and made a pitching change instead of manager Aaron Boone.

“Cool moment as former @Yankees Manager Joe Torre makes a pitching change for the AL in the All-Star Game.”

The road ahead for Smith

Smith has made 18 starts in his rookie season and has gone 3-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 86.2 innings. With the Trade Deadline looming and the White Sox having a couple of trade chips in their rotation, Smith may become more of a focal point for the White Sox with their departure.

Smith should be one of the top contenders for this year’s American League Rookie of the Year, but he’ll need a stronger second half to finish in the top five. Smith is close to throwing the most innings in his professional career, with 94.1 innings in 2024 being the most he’s ever thrown. The White Sox may look to monitor and limit Smith’s innings in the second half, given all their pitching injuries, but Smith has proven to be durable so far this season.