Where Will Hagen Smith Land? Top Landing Spots for the Arkansas Ace in the 2024 MLB Draft
Fayetteville, Ark. (July 11, 2024) – Arkansas Baseball The 2024 MLB Draft kicks off on Sunday, and the Arkansas Razorbacks are poised to see a significant number of players take the next step to professional baseball. With over a dozen players eligible for the draft and only one projected to return for another season, all eyes are on Razorback pitching phenom Hagen Smith.
Smith has established himself as a top prospect, widely considered a consensus top-10 pick based on his stellar 2024 season. Arkansas Baseball He finished the year with a dazzling 9-2 record, a miniscule 2.04 ERA, and a whopping 161 strikeouts in just 84 innings pitched across 16 starts. These remarkable achievements not only etched his name into the Arkansas record books for both single-season and career strikeouts, but also earned him unanimous All-American honors and the prestigious National Pitcher of the Year award from three major organizations.
With the draft quickly approaching, speculation is swirling about where Smith might begin his professional career. Here, we explore the three most likely destinations for the talented left-hander:
Chicago White Sox (Pick No. 5, Slot Value: $7,763,700)
Landing with the White Sox at number five might be the best-case scenario for Smith. Arkansas Baseball While the top four picks are likely to be filled by elite college hitters, Chicago presents a compelling option. Both USA Today and Pitcher List project Smith heading to the South Side, joining a team with a strong prospect pool already boasting four top-100 prospects.
According to Pitcher List, the White Sox have a proven track record of successfully developing “hard-throwing, erratic lefties,” a description that perfectly fits Smith’s profile. This familiarity with similar pitchers could make the White Sox a perfect fit for Smith’s development.
Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 6, Slot Value: $7,213,800)
The Royals desperately need an infusion of pitching talent, especially considering their lack of left-handed depth in the farm system. Arkansas Baseball Smith would instantly become the top prospect in the organization, but the most intriguing element of this potential landing spot lies in his potential impact this season.
The Royals are surprisingly in the thick of the wild-card race and could benefit from immediate left-handed relief pitching help. While Smith is still years away from becoming a major league starter, his talent could translate well to a bullpen role, allowing him to test his skills against professional hitters right away.
St. Louis Cardinals (Pick No. 7, Slot Value: $6,823,700) Arkansas Baseball
Bleacher Report and MLB.com both predict Smith landing with the Cardinals at pick number seven. This scenario represents a potential floor for Smith, barring any unforeseen developments. The Cardinals have a history of selecting college pitchers, having done so in four of the past seven drafts. Additionally, their last high pick came in 1998 when they took J.D. Drew fifth overall.
Similar to the Royals, St. Louis is also pushing for a playoff spot and could benefit from Smith’s contributions in the bullpen. However, the Cardinals might also opt to develop Smith into a reliable starter, following a similar path they took with successful college pitchers like Michael Wacha, Luke Weaver, and Jake Flaherty. Notably, Smith possesses even greater upside than any of those three pitchers.
Conclusion
Arkansas Baseball Hagen Smith’s future holds immense potential, regardless of which team selects him in the draft. His dominant performance throughout the 2024 season has solidified his status as a top prospect, and his future team will be eager to nurture his talent and help him reach his full potential in the major leagues. The next few days will be filled with anticipation as baseball fans and analysts alike watch to see where this Arkansas ace will begin his professional journey.