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Newly-minted National Pitcher of the Year Hagen Smith is one of the sought-after prospects who emerged from the college baseball scene. Mock drafts place him inside the Top 7 due to his amazing performance during the 2024 NCAA baseball season and his progress during the three seasons he pitched with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The six-foot-three left-hander from Bullard, Texas started in 16 games this season, posting a 9-2 record and 2.04 ERA. He had 161 strikeouts and 34 walks in 84 innings pitched. It was a big improvement from his second-year numbers, where he finished with an 8-2 record and 3.64 ERA in 71 2/3 innings.
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Some MLB teams are interested in a strikeout-inducing pitcher, who could serve as a foundation for their club in the future. Smith has the makings of a starting pitcher who can rise to the occasion when called up to play. Here are the top five landing spots for the left-handed hurler in this year's draft.
Top 5 landing spots for Hagen Smith in the MLB Draft
#5. Oakland Athletics
In Oakland, Hagen Smith will have a great chance of becoming the team's franchise player as the Athletics make their first moves to relocate to Las Vegas. Aside from being an everyday starter for the team, Smith can be used as a marketing tool to encourage fans to come to the A's temporary home field at the Sutter Health Park in Sacramento.
#4. St. Louis Cardinals
Having Smith in the Cardinals lineup could strengthen the starting pitching corps that has Kyle Gibson, Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Miles Mikolas in the rotation. If St. Louis picks him, it could remind fans of the early 2000s and 2010s that had Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the Cardinals' starting rotation.
#3. Kansas City Royals
Hagen Smith is expected to boost the Royals' already strong rotation and improve the team's standings in the American League Central. He could be placed between the No. 2 and No. 4 starting spot behind Seth Lugo or Cole Ragans and could make an immediate impact when called up to the majors. Smith could even learn from veteran catcher Salvador Perez, who is expected to handle his pitches if Kansas City drafts him.
#2. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies is a silent wildcard in the Hagen Smith sweepstakes. Despite mock drafts linking the Rockies to another flame-throwing pitcher Chase Burns, Colorado's executives could throw a curveball and pick Smith, who seems to be more prepared than Burns in transitioning to the Big Show from the college baseball ranks.
#1. Chicago White Sox
Hagen Smith could be the franchise player the White Sox is looking for to kickstart their revival. Smith's winning mentality and pitching prowess could be a big help to Chicago's pitching staff. He could be paired with current White Sox pitching ace Garrett Crochet and form a formidable tandem that could pose problems to American League teams in the immediate future.
Which team will pick Hagen Smith in the MLB Draft? Let us know your views in the comments section.
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