The youth movement continues for the first-place Chicago White Sox. Left-hander Hagen Smith becomes the latest prospect the White Sox will promote for his MLB debut in 2026, per Future Sox’s Ian Eskridge.
Smith, 22, was the White Sox’s first-rounder in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Arkansas, selected fifth overall. He was the first player drafted by Chicago after current general manager Chris Getz took over the baseball operations department.
The left-hander has a 4.32 ERA in 58.1 innings with Triple-A Charlotte this season. Smith has had very little issue missing bats, with a strikeout rate north of 33% the past two seasons. However, he’s been plagued by control issues (16% walk rate) and injuries throughout his career.
At the time of his promotion, MLB Pipeline ranks Hagen Smith as the White Sox’s No. 2 prospect and No. 51 overall in their Top 100. Only infielder Caleb Bonemer ranked higher.
Hagen Smith Becomes Latest White Sox Prospect to Debut in 2026
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 20: Hagen Smith of the Chicago White Sox poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch on February 20, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The White Sox have slowly built a strong farm system under general manager Chris Getz. Much of that came from the Garrett Crochet deal before the 2025 season, but the club has also drafted well.
Other notable White Sox prospects to debut in 2026 include Noah Schultz, Sam Antonacci, and Braden Montgomery. All three players project to be everyday regulars in their starting lineup or rotation.
Hagen Smith becomes the second player drafted in the Getz era to reach the big leagues. Antonacci, who was drafted four rounds after Smith in 2024, debuted in April.
The youth movement by the White Sox, plus a shrewd signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, has given the club an envious young core of hitters. That group has propelled the team into postseason contention just two seasons after losing 121 games.
Chicago is hoping their 2026 turnaround ends with an American League Central division title. After losing 8-2 to the Cleveland Guardians, their division lead has shrunk to just two games.
Where Hagen Smith Fits the White Sox in 2026
Smith opened the year as a starting pitcher. However, the White Sox’s reversal in the standings has changed those plans. Since returning from a shoulder injury on July 19, the left-hander has shifted to short relief, likely to shorten his path to the major leagues.
In his last six appearances, Smith has logged 10 strikeouts and four walks over 6.1 innings. It’s worth noting that three of them came in his first appearance since missing a month.
Presumptively, Smith will pitch out of the bullpen for the White Sox to finish the 2026 season. It’s not a particularly new phenomenon, as the organization did so with Garrett Crochet and Chris Sale to start their careers. Crochet and Sale eventually stretched back out into starters later on.
It’s unclear what the long-term role the White Sox have in mind. That will be something Getz will have to address with the media. Presumptively, they’d want Smith to continue developing as a starter, but he’s the type of arm who also projects as a potential late-inning reliever if the walk rate doesn’t drastically improve.
As the corresponding roster move, James Fox of Future Sox reports that Noah Schultz and David Sandlin have been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. The club will still need to open up a 40-man roster spot for Smith’s promotion.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post White Sox Promote Top Pitching Prospect For MLB Debut During Guardians Series appeared first on HEAVY.