Bold claim: the White Sox are quietly building momentum around a rising pitching hopeful who learned more from a rough 2025 season than most do from a flawless year. That prospect is Hagen (Hagan) Smith, a left-hander who turned heads in the Arizona Fall League and is now using spring practice to translate those gains into bigger plans for the organization. Here’s a clear, beginner-friendly rewrite of the latest updates on his journey and a few surrounding notes from White Sox camp.
Hagen Smith’s path back to the majors is defined by a simple idea: growth comes from clarity. After posting a 3.57 ERA across 75⅔ innings at Double-A Birmingham in 2025, during which he issued 56 walks, he entered the fall league with more conviction about his arsenal and location. The fall league experience was a turning point: Smith felt fully aligned with what he was throwing and why, even though last season didn’t meet his sky-high standards. He emphasizes that a strong offseason and a focused spring have him poised for more consistent results this season.
Smith, the fifth pick in the 2024 draft, describes his “ups and downs” as valuable lessons. He explains that persistence—sticking to routines and grinding through challenges—has helped him grow. In the fall league, he worked 14 innings with a 2.57 ERA, striking out 21 and walking six, a performance that reinforced his belief in his development plan. He now approaches camp behind some peers but is ramping up, expecting to throw his first competitive action on March 5 after tossing 23 live-batting-practice pitches at Camelback Ranch.
The organizational plan appears to place Smith and fellow left-handed first-round pick Noah Schultz in a gradual-but-promising track. Both are anticipated to begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte, with the possibility of cracking the major league roster by midseason if they ride the momentum they’re building early in camp.
Meanwhile, the team is enjoying other spring notes from Arizona. Munetaka Murakami’s entertaining attempts at Hawk Harrelson-style home-run calls on camera are a reminder of his engaging personality, which could help him become a fan favorite in his first MLB season. Murakami, an infielder, signed a two-year deal worth $34 million in December and, as manager Will Venable notes, balances a serious, professional focus on the field with a light, humorous side off it.
On the managerial front, Venable provided updates on a few other players:
- Colson Montgomery, who missed a couple of days with an unspecified illness, was feeling a bit better and would be assessed again the next day.
- Evans Pereira, the center fielder acquired from the Rays in the offseason, remains sidelined with tightness in his right side; the staff emphasizes avoiding a protracted absence to prevent longer-term impact.
- Tanner Murray, a versatile infielder brought in for arm-strength depth in trades involving Pereira, continues to show his flexibility, turning in his third game at shortstop with a three-RBI performance that included a homer and a double.
- Lenyn Sosa started at third base, a position he played extensively in 2024 but less so in 2025. With 22 homers and 75 RBIs in 2025, Sosa’s value lies in his availability at second, first, and third base to ensure he earns regular at-bats. He collected a single and a double in four plate appearances in Tuesday’s action.
Game snapshot: Sox 12, Mariners 10
Even with a lineup not yet at full strength, Chicago’s offense shone in a 16-hit performance that lasted nearly four hours in Peoria. The standout was Brooks Baldwin, who logged three hits, including a mix of a double and two singles.
Pitching notes from the game also painted a hopeful picture:
- Anthony Kay, a lefty who joined the rotation group along with Shane Smith and Davis Martin, pitched two scoreless innings with one run, one hit, and two walks across his first spring start. Kay arrived as a free agent after impressive stints in Japan, and he admitted to feeling a surge of adrenaline for his first major-league appearance since 2023.
- Wikelman Gonzalez, a right-handed pitcher acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade, worked an inning but allowed three hits, including Cal Raleigh’s first spring home run, and walked two.
- The defense wasn’t flawless, with a catcher’s overthrown ball leading to a run on a rundown, but the team still managed two double plays in the game.
Looking ahead: On deck and schedule
The Sox are set to face the Dodgers next, with a 2:10 p.m. local time start in Glendale, featuring Nick Lodolo against Davis Martin. This continues a busy stretch for a club focused on evaluating and accelerating its young talent while keeping established pitchers on track.
Bottom line for fans and newcomers
- The White Sox are deliberately managing a mix of experienced and young arms to build depth and high-ceiling potential. Smith’s progress in spring camp could set the tone for a late-season debut if he continues to refine his control and command.
- Murakami’s personality and performance together could help him connect with fans as he adjusts to MLB pace and competition.
- Injuries and maintenance remain a priority, with conservative returns for players like Pereira to protect longer-term availability.
What do you think about the plan to push Smith and Schultz gradually toward the majors? Do you believe their spring ramp-ups will translate to sustained big-league success, or will the jump prove tougher than anticipated? Share your thoughts below and tell us which young Sox pitcher you’re most excited to watch this season.
