Arkansas southpaw Hagen Smith is going to rack up the preseason accolades before the February 16 season opener.
Smith, the Razorbacks’ ace, was named a first team preseason All-American by Perfect Game on Friday.
Perfect Game’s analysis was basically what most Arkansas fans already knew.
Smith jumped around in terms of role a little bit for the Hogs in 2023, as Smith figures to be Arkansas’ biggest weapon on the mound in 2024. It’s electric from the left side with an upper-90s fastball and a wipeout breaking ball. The walks got a little high last year but in terms of competitiveness and overall stuff, Smith ranks among the best in the nation.
A semifinalist for last year’s Golden Spikes Award as well as the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Award, Smith was one of two starting pitchers, along with LSU’s Paul Skenes, to garner first-team All-SEC praise in 2023. He became Arkansas’ first starting pitcher to earn first-team All-SEC honors since Ryne Stanek in 2013.
James Madison comes to town for a four-game set starting in mid-February. Smith will most likely get the ball in the season opener.