How to Watch: Former Arkansas Ace Hagen Smith's Pro Debut

Ex-Razorback set to take first step as professional shortly after junior season with Hogs

Arkansas Razorbacks pitcher Hagen Smith throws a pitch during a game with Oregon State in Arlington, Texas, early last season. / Crant Osborne-allHOGS Images

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — It didn't take long for former Arkansas ace Hagen Smith to make an impact and impress the team that drafted him.

Just over a month after drafting Smith with the fifth overall pick and giving him an $8 million signing bonus, he'll make his professional debut Saturday for the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, the Winston-Salem Dash, Less than three months removed from his final college appearance in a Razorback uniform June 1 against Kansas State, he's back on the mound.

Happy Hagen Smith Day! 🔥@hagensmith32 makes his pro debut tonight with the @WSDashBaseball (High-A affiliate of the @whitesox).

Watch for FREE: https://t.co/pTf2hGjp9m pic.twitter.com/UiCzL3ZUb3

— Arkansas Baseball Player Development (@HogsPlayerDev) August 24, 2024

It's a quick vote of confidence to have Smith pitch in the same year he was drafted and send him straight to High-A without making any prior starts in either Rookie Ball or Low-A. In contrast, Chase Burns, who was selected with the second overall pick, will not pitch until the Instructional League, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. The league usually starts in early October.

The plan is for Smith to throw once a week for the next three weeks with the Dash. He is expected to go about three innings, per MLB.com's Scott Merkin.

Hagen Smith threw 84 innings for Arkansas before begin taken No. 5 by the White Sox in the Draft. He threw a two-inning outing at bridge camp, and then a three-inning outing at bridge camp. Now the plan is three Saturday starts of three innings each for @WSDashBaseball

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) August 20, 2024

Smith will face the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Baltimore Orioles affiliate, who currently possess the No.3 overall farm system according to MLB.com He'll likely square off against Creed Willems, a left-handed hitting catcher and first baseman with 13 homers in High-A this year. He is ranked No. 24 in a loaded Baltimore system.

How to Watch Hagen Smith's Debut (Winston-Salem (CWS) @ Aberdeen (BAL))

Date: Saturday, August 24

Location: Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium (Aberdeen, Maryland)

Streaming: MiLB.TV (Free)

First Pitch: 6:05 CT

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