Hagen Smith has done the one thing that changes everything for the White Sox: he’s made the decision look simple.
Not long ago, plenty of fans were ready to write off the left-hander after the White Sox took him with the fifth-overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Two years is a short fuse for that kind of judgment, especially when a player’s path has already hit some bumps.
But Smith’s finish to the season, and now his work in the playoffs, has put his talent right back in plain sight. If anything, his postseason run has stripped away the noise and forced the White Sox to look at what he is right now.
The White Sox showed their hand when they handed Smith the ball for the postseason opener against the Astros. It wasn’t the kind of move that comes out of nowhere.
Since his Major League debut on August 9th, the club has been willing to trust him in big spots, and a 1.29 ERA across his first 18 big league outings made that trust look justified. In Game 1 against Houston, Smith covered three scoreless innings, gave up two hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out one.
He got the call again in Game 1 against Cleveland and responded with 2.2 hitless innings before his command wavered a bit in the third.
The stuff has been every bit as loud as the results. Smith’s fastball averages just 94 MPH, but hitters are still missing it at a 36.2% clip, a number that would lead baseball if he were qualified.
He’s striking out 37% of hitters and has given up only a 1.9% barrel rate. His 86th percentile extension helps the fastball play up, and he’s done a strong job working his three-pitch mix to spots.
Even though he was a starter in college and early in the minors, the White Sox haven’t hesitated to use him in multi-inning bursts, and that could be the first step toward a place in the 2027 starting rotation.
Hagen Smith lowers his big league ERA to 1.09 with three K's in a scoreless frame!
The 2024 first-rounder is up to 37 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings since joining the @whitesox: pic.twitter.com/ZZl65Qm74U
- MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 19, 2026
That’s the bigger takeaway here: Smith’s success in leverage has opened the door to something more. He has the arsenal to become a top starting pitcher in baseball if he can sharpen the command.
With a lockout looming, the timing around spring training 2027 is uncertain, but once that arrives, the White Sox should be planning on Smith as a starter. Noah Schultz and Tanner McDougal are in a similar lane, with both moving to the bullpen to speed up their big league arrival this season.
For now, the White Sox are still in the middle of a postseason run, so talk about 2027 can wait. But Smith’s performance has already taken pressure off the organization by making the next step feel obvious.
He has shown he can handle starting responsibility, and the only thing left is building his innings accordingly. There’s also a real chance he gets another start before the ALDS ends.
Either way, the White Sox have every reason to keep leaning on him while he keeps doing what he’s done all season long.
In Other News...
White Sox Got An Unusual Midgame Alert During ALDS Tension
A tense Game 1 of the ALDS between the White Sox and Guardians came with an unusual twist away from the field. In the middle of the action, White Sox fans Dave Williams and Jordan Lazowski noticed Cleveland was signaling breaking pitches by tapping their helmets, and they wasted no time trying to get the information to the right people.
Williams and Lazowski texted White Sox players and executives during the game, raising the alarm as the matchup tightened. The team acknowledged the tip and addressed it, adding another layer to a postseason opener that already had plenty of pressure riding on it. [Read more 🡒]
Tommy Pham Had White Sox Teammates Cracking Up Before ALDS Game 3
Tommy Pham gave his White Sox teammates a different kind of entertainment on the way home after an ALDS game, turning a plane ride into an impromptu fantasy football session. While watching Monday Night Football, Pham was openly frustrated with how his fantasy players were doing, and the reaction around him was enough to have teammates cracking up as the club flew back with its playoff momentum intact.
Chicago enters Game 3 at home with a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Guardians and an undefeated postseason so far, which has made for a pretty upbeat travel and clubhouse mood. Phams sideline-style commentary was a reminder that even in October, theres still room for a little levity, especially for a team that has spent the playoffs handling business and enjoying the ride. [Read more 🡒]
Hawk Harrelson Has A Message White Sox Fans Will Love Before Game 3
The White Sox are about to play their first home playoff game since 2021, and the atmosphere around Rate Field has a familiar October buzz to it. With a 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3, there is plenty for Chicago fans to feel good about already, and few voices resonate with that crowd quite like former longtime broadcaster Hawk Harrelson.
Harrelson, who retired in 2018 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021, showed up on ESPN 1000 to send a message to White Sox fans before the game. Even away from the booth, he has stayed a loyal supporter of the club, and his words are the kind of pregame rallying cry that fits a team trying to turn a strong start into something bigger back home. [Read more 🡒]