White Sox Rookie Hagen Smith is Proving His Worth at the Perfect Time

White Sox rookie pitcher Hagen Smith has dominated in the early part of his MLB career.

Aug 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Hagen Smith (32) throws the ball against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hagen Smith made his MLB debut on August 9, which fell 10 days before his 23rd birthday. Since then, the White Sox could not have asked for more from him with a 1.13 ERA.

Through six career games, the only hit Smith has allowed was Pete Crow-Armstrong's 10th-inning walk-off home run. While he's issued six walks and also thrown a wild pitch, he's allowed opposing hitters a batting average of only .040.

In fact, those six walks are a bit misleading, as four of those came in his first game, and he walked only one batter apiece in his two subsequent outings. He hasn't walked anyone in his three appearances since.

While it's a small sample size, Smith has a WHIP of 0.88. If he were among qualified relievers, he would rank third in the AL.

Actually, that probably should be second, a distinction that Sean Burke officially holds from the four times an opener was used ahead of him between April and June. Yes, it's hard to believe there were instances in which Burke needed an opener, but that's baseball for you.

Smith has also been fortunate to be the pitcher of record three times. Yes, Crow-Armstrong's walk-off blast delivered a blemish, but he also has two wins. He would have gotten a third after Andrew Benintendi's RBI double during the Sox's 2-1 victory over the New York Mets if not for a blown save by Grant Taylor.

It could be argued that Smith was robbed of a win even though it wasn't going to happen once the Mets tied the game. If you don't believe that, consider that Smith has yet to allow a run pitching either at home or during day games. He also struck out at least two batters for every walk he's issued in both scenarios.

Hagen Smith’s first 6 career games:

7.0 IP | 1 H | 1 ER | 6 BB | 13 K’s

NASTY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3rcIMjLl0U

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) August 23, 2026

Make no mistake about Smith: He's a future starting pitcher who just so happens to be beginning his career as a reliever like Chris Sale before him. Chris Getz certainly will see to that, as Smith was the fifth overall pick during his first draft as general manager.

At the time Smith was drafted, the Sox were in the middle of their historic 121-loss season, and many felt they should have taken a position player instead. Now, with many more productive young bats in the lineup and quality pitching becoming harder to find with the Sox, everyone no doubt is grateful for Smith's arrival.

No, Smith won't be this dominant for his entire career. The league will adjust to him, and he in turn will have to adjust back. But for now, he has arrived at the exact moment the Sox needed someone to step up on the mound. Sometimes, that's all a team needs.