Hagen Smith, the star pitcher from Arkansas, agreed to an $8 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, marking the largest signing bonus ever for a left-handed pitcher in MLB Draft history.
Selected fifth overall by the White Sox, Smith surpassed the previous record held by Brendan McKay, who received $7 million from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017.
This signing bonus also stands as the highest ever for an Arkansas baseball player, surpassing outfielder Heston Kjerstad’s $5.2 million bonus when he was drafted second overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2020. The slot value for Smith’s draft position was $7.76 million.
In this year’s draft class, Smith joined a select group of players who signed for $8 million or more, including right-handed pitcher Chase Burns (Cincinnati Reds), outfielder Charlie Condon (Colorado Rockies), and second baseman Travis Bazzana (Cleveland Guardians).
Smith, who set records at Arkansas for season (161 in 2024) and career strikeouts (360), also holds the NCAA record for strikeouts per nine innings (17.3). His stellar junior season earned him unanimous first-team All-America honors, the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Award, and recognition as a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.
The announcement from MLB.com also included signing bonuses for several other Arkansas players drafted in 2024, including second baseman Peyton Stovall ($625,000, Reds), infielder Ben McLaughlin ($75,000, Arizona Diamondbacks), and right-handed pitcher Jake Faherty ($200,000, Miami Marlins).
Overall, Arkansas saw eight members of its 2024 team and two signees drafted this year.
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