Razorbacks' 1-2 Lefty Punch Ready to Turn Expectation to Reality
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas pitcher Hagen Smith likes to quickly remind fans caught up in the preseason hype that the Razorbacks are currently 0-0.
However, he also demonstrated Friday afternoon the first intra-squad scrimmage of 2024 season why that hype is warranted. Other than a homer off the bat of Kendall Diggs, Smith swept aside all other challengers, striking out three in a single inning of work with a fastball that sat 97-100.
The Bullard, Texas native is on almost every preseason watch list imaginable. Smith is a Perfect Game Preseason All-American and a Top 15 draft pick according to MLB Pipeline. Still, he knows there is a whole season to be played and a lot can happen before any of that comes to fruition.
"It's really nothing honestly," Smith said of the preseason expectations. "I haven't played yet. Just like anybody. No one's played yet, so [we] just have to get ready for the season."
Smith is finally ready to put his walk demons behind him and use his power fastball-slider combo.
"He really worked hard on his body," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "He had a great strong physique, but now he’s super strong. He’s put on some really good weight. We rested him. You could say the uptick in velocity, he’s always had good velocity. If he was just our closer, and all he did was pitch the eighth or ninth inning, he’s going to go 97-to-100 pretty much all the time. We’d like him to pitch at 93-to-96."
However, Smith won't be the only lefty starter looking to make a quick impact on the starting rotation. Van Horn went into the portal and pulled star Texas Tech pitcher Mason Molina. He comes off a season with a 3.67 ERA across 81 1/3 innings. Molina and Smith's bond and combined experience will be invaluable to the team moving forward.
"I was actually his host on his visit here [at Arkansas]," Smith said. "It's just been awesome having him on the team. A guy that's proven he's good at Texas Tech. It's just awesome to add one of those guys to the staff."
Molina started opposite Smith and was equally impressive, building on a strong fall in which he did not give up an earned run in six innings of work. He pitched two scoreless innings, walking two and striking out three.
The rotation being spearheaded by the two lefties, along with Brady Tygart, allows the staff to be one of the deepest ever for Van Horn. The Razorbacks will open the season at Baum-Walker Stadium Friday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. against James Madison.
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