Former Arkansas Pitcher's Spring Training Debut Highlights Potential

A Promising Performance on the Mound

Smith made his spring training debut on Wednesday, delivering a scoreless inning while striking out three batters. Despite a defensive miscue and a walk that forced him to throw 23 pitches—13 for strikes—he demonstrated poise and command. His slider proved particularly effective, generating three strikeouts, two of which came against highly regarded prospects.

His first challenge came after falling behind the leadoff hitter 2-0, followed by a single and an outfield error that placed a runner on second. Later, an unattended steal of third base put additional pressure on the left-hander. Despite these obstacles, he responded by striking out Leo De Vries before issuing a walk to former White Sox slugger Gavin Sheets, putting runners at the corners with one out.

Maintaining his composure, Smith retired No. 33 prospect Ethan Salas on four pitches and veteran Connor Joe on five, escaping the inning unscathed. His 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame and deceptive mechanics make him a formidable presence on the mound, and his ability to mix an upper-90s fastball with a sharp slider highlights his potential.

Rapid Progression Toward the Majors

The White Sox see Smith as a potential cornerstone of their rotation, with general manager Chris Getz expressing optimism about his trajectory. “I don’t think we’re that far off from watching Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith at the front of a rotation for the White Sox,” Getz said on 670 The Score. “I think it’s in the very near future.”

While Smith has only logged 7.2 professional innings at High-A Winston-Salem, his collegiate track record suggests he could advance quickly. He concluded his Arkansas career as the program’s all-time strikeout leader (360), and his dominance in the SEC mirrors that of past top draft picks who accelerated through the minor leagues.

Following a Legacy of White Sox Left-Handers

The White Sox have a history of developing impactful left-handed pitchers, including Mark Buehrle, four-time All-Star Chris Sale, and Garrett Crochet. Smith’s early performance suggests he has the tools to follow a similar path. While his long-term role remains to be determined, his first spring training outing provided a glimpse of the pitcher Chicago hopes will be a key figure in their future rotation.