Hagen Smith has been limited to three innings in his first two starts, as the White Sox started his spring ramp-up later than other pitching prospects since he participated in the Arizona Fall League. That's not quite enough time to glean how his stuff will hold up under a typical starter's expectations, but even though his pitch counts are limited, he's showing a greater amount of pitches to choose from.
Smith threw 50 pitches over three innings of two-run ball against the Sounds Thursday night, and just like Noah Schultz the night before, Smith threw fewer sliders than you'd expect. He used his best breaking ball just nine times over the course of 50 pitches, instead mixing in more cutters, and then turning to his split-grip changeup when the lineup turned over.
Smith gave up a pair of runs when a couple of fastballs were ambushed. Ethan Murray led off the inning by pulling a first-pitch heater through the left side, and then Freddy Zamora was able to take advantage of one of the few times Smith fell behind, roping a 2-0 fastball into the left-field corner for the game's first run.
Zamora ended up scoring an unearned run, and the box score reflects the difference in deservedness. First, Zamora advanced to third after his double because Dru Baker's return throw from the left field corner somehow ended up in the stands along the third-base line. Then Zamora scored on a contact play after an excuse-me swing from Luke Adams, beating Jacob Gonzalez's throw home from first base.
Smith ended up picking off Adams, then returned for a 1-2-3 third. He struck out two over the course of those 16 pitches, and 13 of them were strikes.
Through his two starts, Smith has the line of one quality start: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K on 107 pitches. The question is whether he can get to that point where he can replicate that line in a single outing, and the hope is that his pitch chart against the Sounds reflects a greater ability to not just control his arsenal, but to command it.
Nashville 4, Charlotte 0
- Sam Antonacci went 1-for-4 with a strikeout, HBP and stolen base.
- William Bergolla Jr. went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk.
- Jarred Kelenic, 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Jacob Gonzalez was 2-for-4.
- Hagen Smith: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 34 of 50 pitches for strikes.
- Tyler Schweitzer: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 23 of 29 pitches for strikes.
Hill City 4, Kannapolis 3
- Jaden Fauske made his pro debut, going 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk while playing right field.
- Billy Carlson made his pro debut, singling, walking and striking out twice.
- Javier Mogollón had the same line, but was not making his pro debut.
- Max Banks got the Opening Day start: 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 37 of 56 pitches for strikes.
*Fauske and Carlson's hits came in their first plate appearances, with the latter singling the former home.
