The White Sox shocked some and disappointed others when they drafted University of Arkansas left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith fifth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft tonight. Fans have a right to be disappointed, as the White Sox took another pitcher despite desperately needing to infuse difference-making hitters into the farm system. University of Florida infielder Jac Caglianone, University of West Virginia infielder JJ Wetherholt, and Mississippi high school outfielder Konnor Griffin were all still available at the time of the White Sox selection. Yet the team passed on all of them in favor of Smith.
The million-dollar question is whether the White Sox thought process behind drafting Smith makes sense. And that truly depends on perspective. If one looks at drafting based solely on the organization’s needs at the current moment, then drafting Smith does not make sense. They should have taken a hitter using that thought process, as pitching is by far the strength of the White Sox organization while hitting is a significant weakness. The fifth overall pick was a clear opportunity to obtain a difference-making bat, yet they decided not to do so. That seems like questionable logic from a needs standpoint, especially considering the team cannot pick higher than tenth next year.
However, drafting the best player available is generally the best approach in the crapshoot known as the MLB Draft. And there is a legitimate argument that Smith was the best player available at fifth overall. His 2024 college stats are incredible. Taking the most talented player makes even more sense considering the White Sox current circumstances as an organization. They likely will not compete at the MLB level for several more years, so accumulating as much talent as possible in the meantime is essential. There is no specific position the White Sox desperately need to fill at the MLB level right this second. They need help everywhere.
Another factor is the demographic of the pick from a positional perspective and the organization’s history in player development. If there is any demographic in which the White Sox have been able to get the most out of over the past decade and a half successfully, it is left-handed pitchers. Chris Sale, Carlos Rodón, Garrett Crochet, and hopefully Noah Schultz fit that category. It appears that they want to continue that trend with Smith. The adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies here. The ultimate goal of any draft pick is for them to develop into a productive player, and history shows that the White Sox have been able to get the most out of players with Smith’s qualities.
Given the nature of the MLB Draft, we will not know whether or not the White Sox made the right decision for several more years. Prospects take a long time to develop, and a lot will happen between now and the MLB debuts of the players in this draft class. There are arguments for and against the Smith pick, depending on whether one looks at the pick from a team need vs. best player available standpoint. In any case, Hagen Smith’s talent is undeniable, and he will immediately become one of the best prospects in the entire White Sox organization.
