Arkansas Razorbacks left-hander Hagen Smith, who CBS Sports activities not too long ago ranked as one of many 30 greatest prospects eligible for the upcoming Main League Baseball beginner draft, pulled off a nifty trick on Friday night time in opposition to the Oregon State Beavers and second baseman Travis Bazzana, the early favourite to be chosen No. 1. within the MLB Draft. Smith recorded every of his first 15 outs — as in, his first 5 innings’ value of labor — by way of strike out.
Smith, then, took the mound within the sixth inning having surrendered three hits and a stroll, however no runs, over 5 shutout frames. He had struck out 15 of the 19 batters he had confronted, together with Bazzana in all three of their head-to-head matchups. Oregon State middle fielder Micah McDowell grounded out to start the sixth, ending Smith’s out-via-Okay streak. General, Smith hurled six innings of no-run baseball, permitting simply three hits and one stroll in opposition to 17 strikeouts. His 17 punchouts tied the Arkansas single-game strikeout report.
CBS Sports activities ranked Smith because the twenty second greatest prospect earlier this month. This is what we wrote on the time:
Each beginning pitcher on this class has some sort of concern — be it well being, ceiling, or command. The final one is Smith’s poison. He is a well-built lefty with an excellent repertoire, led by a fastball that may contact into the higher 90s. His abrupt arm motion and low three-quarters launch level will be described pretty as disruptive, each to batters and himself, with the impact on the latter manifesting in a profession stroll charge over 13.4%. If Smith reveals any progress in that space this spring, he might wind up being the primary arm taken in July.
Arkansas entered Friday night time ranked because the No. 2 program within the nation. Oregon State, in the meantime, was ranked No. 7.
The Beavers’ lineup included the aforementioned Bazzana, who a number of different entrance places of work have speculated could possibly be the No. 1 choose in July’s draft. The Cleveland Guardians, making the highest choose for the primary time in franchise historical past, are believed to be enamored with the line-drive-hitting Bazzana. On Friday night time, at the very least, Smith was superior.
