Arkansas beginning pitcher Hagen Smith posted an all-time efficiency after occurring a historic strikeout spree Friday towards No. 7 Oregon State at Globe Life Area.
Smith pitched six scoreless innings, recording an unbelievable 17 of 18 outs by means of strikeout. In the meantime, his 17 Ok’s tied Jess Todd (2007) for the Arkansas document.
From the leap, it was clear that the junior was locked in. Smith Ok’d 9 consecutive batters to begin the sport, which tied one more document set by Todd.
Friday’s outing for Smith was the dictionary definition of a bounce-back sport. The 2023 All-American did not have the very best begin to the season. On Opening Day, James Madison roughed up Smith, chasing him from the sport within the first inning after crossing three earned runs throughout the plate.
The southpaw earned All-SEC First Crew honors in 2023, ending 8-2 with a 3.64 ERA over 71.2 innings pitched.
MLB Pipeline ranks Smith because the Fifteenth-ranked prospect forward of the 2024 draft. Whereas he boasts a fastball averaging 92-95 mph and topping out at 98 mph, the true gem of his arsenal is a slider that includes “sweep and depth” touring between 82 and 85 mph.
“He has a robust six-foot-three, 215-pound body constructed for sturdiness and will turn out to be a frontline starter if he can harness his stuff,” MLB Pipeline’s scouting report reads.
