White Sox first-round pick Hagen Smith didn’t realize he had 17 strikeouts in his program-record-tying performance Feb. 23 against Oregon State until he was pulled from the game.
The former Razorback said he was shocked he had that many K’s. Part of a breakout season, that game showcased Smith’s immense talent.
Selected with the No. 5 pick in the draft, Smith becomes the latest in a long line of left-handers the Sox have drafted in the last decade — Garrett Crochet, Chris Sale, Carlos Rodon and Noah Schultz.
“You dream about it growing up, especially in college; that’s the goal, to be drafted in the first round,” Smith said. “Just hearing my name be called, it was kind of surreal, honestly.”
Smith went 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA this past season. He was the SEC Pitcher of the Year and led the nation in batting average against (.144) and strikeout rate (17.3 per nine innings). Smith had 161 strikeouts in 84 innings.
Coming from one of the top college baseball programs in the country — Arkansas was the No. 5 seed in the 2024 College World Series Regionals — Smith said being around high-end talent aided his development.
Given that the Sox’ rebuild is in its infancy, Smith is excited for the opportunity to grow alongside Schultz and shortstop Colson Montgomery, whom he watched in the Futures Game on Saturday.
“I’m excited to get to know everybody in the organization,” Smith said. “It’s going to be a super-fun process.”
As a power lefty, Smith primarily throws a fastball and a slider, but he said he has been working on his changeup.
Though Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley said in a statement that he was most impressed by Smith’s humility, Smith said he considers himself a competitor.
“I’m a completely different person on the field,” Smith said. “There’s something about the game of baseball . . . you step between the lines, it just brings [out] a different part of you.
“But off the field, I’m a super-quiet, laid-back, just-go-with-the-flow type of guy.”
The Sox drafted shortstop Caleb Bonemer from Okemos (Michigan) High School in the second round with the 43rd pick.
Lee’s first half
Catcher Korey Lee closed the door on his first full first half in the majors with the 9-4 loss to the Pirates on Sunday.
Lee made the Opening Day roster after a hip injury to Max Stassi, who’s on the 60-day injured list. He has assumed the bulk of the catching duties, starting 52 games.
Acquired from the Astros last season as part of the Kendall Graveman trade, Lee is one of the young players the Sox are hoping can develop.
He said it’s one thing to hear about the grind of a major-league season, but it’s another to experience it.
“It’s an every-day thing,” Lee said. “You hear it all the time when you come in, but you got to be hard on yourself. You got to be hard on each other and hold each other accountable, and that’s what the team is for.”
This and that
- Right-hander Michael Soroka left the game with a sore shoulder after throwing three pitches.
- Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. stole his 11th and 12th bases. He walked twice and had three hits.