FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas starting pitcher Hagen Smith has been named a preseason first-team All-American by Baseball America.
Baseball America annually polls major league scouting directors to vote for its preseason All-America teams, asking only that they make their selections based on performance, talent and professional potential.
Smith is the first Razorback pitcher to be named a preseason first-team All-American by Baseball American since Matt Cronin earned first-team recognition from the publication as a relief pitcher prior to the 2019 campaign.
Smith creates uncomfortable at-bats thanks to an electric arsenal and an effectively wild command profile. He’s been a two-year starter for Arkansas but made a sizable jump in velocity from 2022 to 2023 and now sits with a 93-mph fastball that has been up to 98. He has impressive feel for a mid-80s slider that is easily plus, and also mixes in a useful changeup. Smith already has a TJ on his resume and could add to his draft stock by sharpening his command. — Carlos Collazo
Smith, a consensus All-American in 2023, made 18 appearances with 11 starts on the mound during his outstanding sophomore campaign, posting an 8-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, a team-leading 109 strikeouts and two saves in 71 2/3 innings of work. The Bullard, Texas, native limited opposing hitters to a .217 batting average on the year.
In SEC play, Smith worked in a variety of roles, making 11 appearances with five starts, and compiled a 5-1 record with a 3.07 ERA. The left-hander totaled 65 strikeouts over 44 innings and held opposing hitters to a .201 batting average.
A semifinalist for last year’s Golden Spikes Award as well as the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Award, Smith was one of two starting pitchers, along with LSU’s Paul Skenes, to garner All-SEC First Team praise in 2023. He became Arkansas’ first starting pitcher to earn All-SEC First Team honors since Ryne Stanek in 2013.
Smith enters the 2024 campaign as a preseason first-team All-American by Baseball America, D1Baseball and Perfect Game. Both D1Baseball and Perfect Game have also tabbed the Razorbacks’ ace as the SEC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Arkansas opens the season with a four-game series against James Madison at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch on Opening Day is set for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
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