Smith, Sox No. 5 prospect, set to throw live BP for first time this spring

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Live BPs don’t always get pitchers’ adrenaline flowing during Spring Training action.

But with Tuesday’s session marking the first time White Sox left-hander Hagen Smith will face hitters since arriving in Arizona, the No. 72 prospect overall, and Chicago’s No. 5, per MLB Pipeline, is ready to take the mound.

“I’ll be excited. It’s been a minute,” Smith told MLB.com Monday. “Had a long season last year, especially going to the Fall League, which is good.

“I needed that. It was a good experience and a good time, but I’m really excited for tomorrow.”

Smith, 22, struck out 21 over 14 innings for Glendale during AFL action, following the 108 strikeouts against 56 walks that he recorded in 75 2/3 innings during the 2025 regular season for Double-A Birmingham. The White Sox have gone a little slower with Smith during Spring Training after the AFL stint, but he’s looking forward to getting into Cactus League games again.

“Yeah, I didn’t know they were going to say that, but it didn’t disappoint me at all,” said Smith of the team’s slower play after the AFL. “Just trying to keep attacking my routine. I had a really good offseason and just carrying it over here.”

There will be an additional live BP session for Smith, and then he’ll be in those Cactus League games if all goes well. Noah Schultz, 22, the No. 49 prospect overall and No. 2 in the White Sox system, threw a live BP on Sunday and hopes to soon be in a game as well. Both hurlers will start the season in Triple-A Charlotte’s rotation, but should eventually contribute to the 2026 White Sox.

“A lot of planning went into [the offseason],” Schultz said. “A lot of stuff we had looked back and looked at film and stuff to see, to maximize the time in the offseason. It’s showing here, and I’m excited to get out and start playing games.”

McDougal finds high octane relief
One thing really stood out in Tanner McDougal's rare relief outing Sunday in Chicago’s Cactus League victory over the Brewers.

“I’ll tell you what, the run from the bullpen to the mound is a long run. A lot to think about in that 15 seconds,” said McDougal with a laugh. “But other than that, felt great. I enjoyed the role, and wherever I have to be is where I’ll pitch.”

McDougal, 22, Chicago's No. 7 prospect, pitched in relief just twice for the Arizona Complex League team in 2021 and has made 75 starts in his 77 career appearances. The right-hander should open with Smith and Schultz in Charlotte’s rotation, but he also could be a bullpen aid at the Major League level sooner rather than later.

Based on his performance on Sunday, it could end up being the former. McDougal topped 99 mph on 11 pitches, hitting a top velocity of 100.7 during his two-inning save, according to Statcast. The organization’s focus is stretching out McDougal as a starter, but he’s ready to take on whatever job gets him to the Majors. First, he just needs to adjust to the run in from the bullpen instead of the leisurely stroll to the mound as a starter.

“I kind of blacked out yesterday,” said McDougal of his two strikeouts in two scoreless innings. “My dad texted me in the morning and said make sure you take it all in, and I was like I’m going to try to do that. The gate opens, you run out and it’s time to go to work. Yeah, it’s like run, handcheck, now we are going. So, it’s definitely a different experience.”

“Right now, having that out there as a starter is really attractive,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of McDougal. “In the future, later in the season, utilizing what we have at different times of the year, but I view him as a starter.”

Montgomery scratched
Shortstop Colson Montgomery was scratched from Monday’s starting lineup due to illness, in a 5-4 loss to the Rockies at Salt River Fields.

“He went out there and got his workout in. Just not feeling well,” Venable said. “He wanted to play. Thought this time in the year just better to let him get hydrated and recover.”