Hagen Smith, Chicago White Sox former fifth overall pick out of Arkansas in the 2024 MLB Draft, is apparently a quick learner. The southpaw reportedly has added a new pitch to his already impressive arsenal and recently deployed it during a Spring Training game against the Royals on March 15.
One catch, prior to throwing a cutter for the first time in a live game, albeit a Spring Training game, he had just learned the pitch two to three days prior. Brooke Fletcher provided this initial report, adding that Smith was inspired by Anthony Kay to add in this pitch.
Hagen Smith throws cutters in a Chicago White Sox game after learning it 2-3 days prior
Against the Royals Smith threw 30 total pitches. He made it a point to incorporate his new pitch, the cutter. While he threw it just three times, it’s exciting to see him add another potential layer alongside his fastball, slider and changeup.
Statcast’s data on Smith’s cutter had it clocked at 89 MPH. This comes in five MPH faster than his slider and slightly above his changeup. Movement wise, the cutter showed more vertical break than horizontal break, which may not be a bad thing as his slider operates the other way around.
For the White Sox and Smith, the quick addition of a cutter could be another encouraging sign of the left-hander’s development. Learning the pitch just days earlier and already trusting it in a live game shows both confidence and adaptability. If the offering continues to develop alongside his fastball, slider, and changeup, it could give Smith an even deeper arsenal moving forward.
For a young pitcher early in his professional journey, experimenting and refining new weapons is all part of the process, and Smith appears eager to keep expanding his toolkit.
This Chicago White Sox player reportedly made the 2026 Opening Day roster
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