Arkansas alum Hagen Smith, currently a top pitching prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization, has been named a 2025 Arizona Fall League Fall Star. Smith, selected by the White Sox with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, will represent the American League in the Fall Stars Game on Sunday, Nov. 9, which will broadcast live on MLB Network and MLB.com.
Dominant Start to Professional Career
The White Sox’s No. 5 prospect has impressed through his first five starts in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 2.57 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 14.0 innings. Smith has allowed just four runs on seven hits and six walks, showcasing both his command and strikeout ability in the early stages of his professional career.
Record-Setting College Career at Arkansas
Smith’s rise was foreshadowed by his historic career at Arkansas, where he finished as the program’s all-time strikeout leader with 360 strikeouts. His standout 2024 season earned him National Pitcher of the Year and unanimous All-American honors after he posted a 9-2 record with a 2.04 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 84 innings, including 17.25 strikeouts per nine innings, an NCAA record.
In SEC play, he went 7-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 110 strikeouts, while a 17-strikeout game against Oregon State tied the program single-game record. Smith’s combination of velocity, control, and mound poise made him one of the best pitchers in Arkansas history and a top MLB draft prospect.
Early Professional Success and Future Outlook
Hagen Smith is already making a statement with the White Sox organization. He has quickly emerged as one of the top young arms in Chicago’s system, which is already loaded with talent. His left-handed delivery, combined with his strikeout ability and consistency, sets him apart from his peers.
If Smith continues his early dominance in the Arizona Fall League and remains healthy, a call-up to the majors as early as next season is not out of the question. The White Sox may have several exciting young pitchers, but Smith could be the crown jewel of the farm system.
With a track record of excellence in college and a strong start to his professional career, Hagen Smith is a name to watch for the future of both the White Sox and Major League Baseball.
