2024 MLB Draft Profiles: Hagen Smith
We recently took a look at right-hander Chase Burns. We’ll continue on the pitching trend in this one, looking at left-hander Hagen Smith out of Arkansas.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 / Slider: 65 / Splitter: 50 / Control: 50 / Overall: 60
Smith hit a roadblock early after getting Tommy John surgery his sophomore year of high school. He came back for his senior year and turned into a new animal, throwing seven no-hitters that season. He’s played three seasons at Arkansas, with this year’s performance being his best. Smith went 9-2 with a 2.36 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts in only 84 innings.
Smith has some of the best stuff in this draft. He’ll throw everything at you, having a four-seam fastball, a sinker, a slider, a split-finger, and a curve. His delivery makes it extremely difficult to pick up his pitches out of the hand.
He works from a low-three-quarters slot, making it difficult for hitters to pick up Smith’s pitches. With a very jerky, full-limbed delivery, it’s no question why he’s been able to record so many outs.
His fastball sits anywhere from 94-97 mph and occasionally touches 100. Smith’s funky delivery also plays tricks with his fastball, causing deception and riding action.
His next best pitch is his slider, which sits in the middle to upper 80s with a disgusting break. It destroys left-handed hitters and locks up righties. His splitter flashes above-average potential, but the lack of spin and struggle with locating it has made it a work in progress.
The command and control could use some tinkering overall, but Smith is still projected to be a mid-rotation starter. There’s a possibility of Smith starting out in the bullpen to work his way up, and his pitching arsenal is strong enough for either.
Smith has received comps to Josh Hader. Between the height (both are 6’3″) velocity, and pitch mix, Smith should be an incredible weapon in the rotation or the bullpen.
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