White Sox pitching prospect Hagan Smith back up after a great fall

PEORIA, Ariz. — Encouraged by a positive Arizona Fall League experience and improved command this spring, left-hander Hagen Smith is hoping to springboard to better things with the White Sox after a 2025 season that saw him walk 56 batters in 75⅔ innings at Double-A Birmingham while pitching to a 3.57 ERA.

“I felt very convicted with everything I was throwing in the fall league,” said Smith, the fifth overall selection of the 2024 draft. “Last year I was upset with my performance. I hold myself to really high standards, and it was not what I expected or wanted. But I had a really good offseason and am prepared for better things this season.”

Smith said his “ups and downs” taught him a lot about himself.

“You keep going through it and grinding every day, stick to your routine and hammer it out,” he said.

After extending his season in the fall league (14 innings, 2.57 ERA, 21 strikeouts, six walks), Smith finds himself ramping up behind many of the other pitchers in camp. He threw 23 pitches in his first live batting practice Tuesday at Camelback Ranch and expects his first game action March 5.

He and Noah Schultz, another lefty drafted in the first round (2022), are expected to open the season at Triple-A Charlotte but could debut with the big-league team by midseason.

Put Mune on the board

Munetaka Murakami’s attempt at a Hawk Harrelson home-run call on camera was the latest example of the Japanese slugger’s fun side, which should make him a fan favorite in his first MLB season.

“He certainly takes it seriously, like all these guys do,” manager Will Venable said. “When it’s time to play baseball, he’s very serious. But there is definitely a lighter side to Mune. He’s got a big personality, funny dude, and definitely likes to joke around with the guys. Time and place for everything, but he’s doing a great job being locked in on the field.”

Murakami, an infielder, signed a two-year, $34 million deal in December.

Manager’s corner

Venable said shortstop Colson Montgomery, who was out for a second day Tuesday with an unspecified illness, was feeling a little bit better.

“We’’ll see where he’s at [Wednesday],” Venable said.

• There’s no estimate yet on when center fielder Everson Pereira, acquired in an offseason trade with the Rays, will return to game action after experiencing tightness in his right side, Venable said.

“Especially with that side stuff, you just don’t want to mess around and turn it into a longer stint than it needs to be,” he said.

• Versatile infielder Tanner Murray, acquired for right-handers Steven Wilson and Yoendrys Gomez in the same trade that brought Pereira, played in his third game at shortstop and drove in three runs with a homer and a double.

• Lenyn Sosa started at third base, where he played 54 games in 2024 but only 18 last season. Sosa, who had 22 homers and 75 RBI in 2025, is no Gold Glover but needs to be available at second, first and third to ensure his share of at-bats, Venable said. He singled and doubled in four plate appearances Tuesday.

Sox 12, Mariners 10

With a second-tier lineup, the Sox (4-1) cranked out 16 hits in a 3-hour, 48-minute game in Peoria, hiking their spring total to 60 hits. Brooks Baldwin (double, two singles) led the way with three hits.

• Left-hander Anthony Kay, one of three pitchers, along with Shane Smith and Davis Martin, who have all-but guaranteed rotation spots, allowed one run, one hit and two walks over two innings in his first spring start. Signed as a free agent after ERAs of 1.74 and 1.54 his last two seasons in Japan, Kay said he was initially over-amped as he made his first start in a major-league uniform since 2023.

• Righty Wikelman Gonzalez, one of the prospects acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade, walked two and gave up three hits, including Cal Raleigh’s first spring homer, in his one inning.

• The Sox turned a pair of double plays but surrendered a run on catcher Edgar Quero’s way-high throw to third base on a rundown.

• On deck: Reds at Sox, 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, Glendale, Nick Lodolo vs. Davis Martin.