Former Arkansas pitcher Hagen Smith will soon make his MLB Debut.
The White Sox officially announced this weekend that Smith is being called up to the major leagues. A former first-round pick, Smith projects to be a starting pitcher long-term but will likely be a bullpen arm down the stretch as Chicago pushes for a postseason berth.
There are currently 6 former Razorbacks who are in the major leagues, including Smith’s new teammate, Andrew Benintendi. Dozens of former Arkansas players are present at all levels of the minor leagues.
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Smith was the 5th pick of the 2024 MLB Draft by the White Sox. He quickly established himself as an elite pitching prospect and has risen through Chicago’s minor league system in just over 2 years.
In AAA this season, Smith recorded a 4.32 ERA while striking out 13.4 batters per 9 innings of work.
Prior to starting his pro career, Smith was a key pitcher for the Razorbacks from 2022-24. He tossed 70+ innings in all 3 seasons, including the 2022 campaign that saw Arkansas reach the College World Series.
Smith and the White Sox will be in action on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET.
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Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
