No. 2 prospect Smith pitches out of jam, ends with two scoreless innings and win in MLB debut

CHICAGO – Hagen Smith, the White Sox No. 2 prospect and No. 51 overall, per MLB Pipeline, didn’t know Sunday’s series finale against the Guardians at Rate Field would turn into his Major League debut.

Not with Davis Martin starting and the White Sox looking to extend their lead in the American League Central. The rookie southpaw also didn’t plan on getting an individual victory during a 5-3 team victory, giving the White Sox two in a row after a season-worst four-game losing streak.

But that scenario is exactly what played out for Smith, with the help of a two-hour, 23-minute rain delay after one inning, bringing him in for inning No. 2.

“It was definitely different,” said Smith of his debut. “I didn't really know I was going in until about an hour into the delay. Then they said I was going in and it sounded good to me. So I just went from there."

“You have these plans to get these young guys a nice soft landing spot,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Second inning after a rain delay is not something that I think he's done before, and so a challenging situation. As his outing unfolded, he was challenged there in his second inning. It was a really good test for him, and obviously he came through.”

That challenge, coming in the third inning, highlighted the mixed on-field results for Smith. In the second, Smith fanned Brayan Rocchio for his first career strikeout and ended up striking out three in the frame sandwiched around a Patrick Bailey walk.

HIs impressive open was followed by three walks to load the bases and a 3-2 count against Rocchio with the Guardians holding the 2-1 lead taken into the extended delay. Smith retired Rocchio on a line drive to third baseman Miguel Vargas to escape unscathed at 48 pitches (25 strikes)..

With no White Sox pitcher qualifying for the win, official scorer John Jackson awarded it to Smith.

“I didn't know that until I got back in the clubhouse, so that was kind of cool,” said Smith, who received the traditional first victory celebration. “The first inning obviously was good, and then second inning fell off a little bit, but glad we got the win and that's all that really matters.”

“Definitely that was a good one,” said veteran reliever Sean Newcomb, who pitched 1 ⅓ scoreless innings following Smith. “Not your normal way to get a win but he stepped up there to put up a couple zeroes to get us rolling. That was good."

Cleveland pitchers issued nine of the 17 total free passes and hit two. But it was Colson Montgomery’s three-run home run off a wild Craig Yoho as part of a four-run third making the ultimate difference.

Montgomery’s 26th home run ended a 6-for-44 funk with 22 strikeouts. He was extra devoted to the process Sunday, helped by starting as designated hitter.

“You have to be willing to take a step back and self evaluate what you need to do and what you are doing. The past two days or whatever, kind of just took a step back,” Montgomery said. “Success, it leaves clues.

“Let’s go out and check it out and look and see what it is. It really wasn’t anything too crazy. It was getting myself up early, ready, let my swing and body develop. Then just be committed to the fastball.”

When asked if he felt a sense of relief after the home run, Montgomery smiled and added, “Yeah, I guess.”

“More to help the team,” Montgomery said. “It was able to put us up, put us ahead especially after a long rain delay. You never know how teams come out after a rain delay. It was kind of a statement. I thought that said a lot about us.”

Detroit now sits second in the AL Central, 3 ½ games out, as the White Sox finished with a 6-7 record over a stretch of 13 straight games against playoff teams and topped last year’s win total at 61 with 45 games to play. Smith became the 14th player to make their Major League debut with the White Sox this season, which is the most in baseball. The team’s top pick in the 2024 Draft (5th overall) pitching Sunday made it 13 straight first-round White Sox picks from 2013 to reach the Majors, not factoring in the ‘25 and ‘26 seasons.

Tanner McDougal warmed up in the ninth with Trevor Richards (first save) getting a little wild and Grant Taylor unavailable per Venable. But Richards finished the job, leaving McDougal’s debut for another time.

Maybe it will come on Pope Hat giveaway night Tuesday against the Reds?

“Just go be him,” said Smith of advice to McDougal. “He's really good and just be himself out there and he'll do great."