Former SEC foes Cunningham (NYY) and Smith (CWS) enjoy Fall League duel

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- For years, Bryce Cunningham and Hagen Smith have orbited one another without ever facing off.

They’ve been close though. During a May 2023 series between Cunningham's Vanderbilt Commodores and Smith's Arkansas Razorbacks they both pitched, but on different days. When their collegiate careers concluded in 2024, Cunningham was drafted by the Yankees in the second round (53rd overall) while Smith became the highest-drafted pitcher in Hogs history, going No. 5 overall to the White Sox. But their paths have yet to cross in the Minors.

On Wednesday, the Yankees’ No. 5 prospect and White Sox No. 5 prospect (MLB No. 88) toed the rubber and went head to head in Glendale’s 6-4 win over Mesa at Camelback Ranch.

“He's definitely a good pitcher,” said Cunningham of the former Arkansas ace. “He's pretty dominant. It's pretty fun to watch.”

But after a pause and a laugh: “I hate going against him, though.”

Smith: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Cunningham: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 K

Smith had the better overall line, but Cunningham got off to the blistering start. The 22-year-old retired six of the first seven batters he faced and consistently relied on his slider, which he’s continued to revamp during his stint with the Solar Sox.

“I’m just trying to gain control of it and use it for leverage on my side,” said Cunningham of the new-look offering. “I feel like I'm just continuing to grow each outing and getting a little better each time.”

“He was really good,” said Smith of his former SEC compatriot. “He threw well today and he threw well his entire college career. It’s cool to see the guys you played in college here in the Fall League.”

Overall, the AFL numbers haven’t been the key takeaway for Cunningham, who is making up for lost innings after dealing with right shoulder issues that sidelined him during his regular-season run with High-A Hudson Valley. It’s been much the same for Smith, who also dealt with injuries this summer with Double-A Birmingham. He has focused on finding out how his arsenal works in different scenarios during his time with the Desert Dogs.

“I tried to throw more changeups today just to work on it in-game and it was good,” said Smith. “I’m just trying to execute what I do well. … Just go out there and compete the best I can.”

Through four Fall League starts, last year’s fifth overall pick has collected 17 strikeouts across 10 frames. The only hit he allowed Wednesday was a 64.5 mph cue shot off the end of the bat by Ryan Lasko (ATH No. 17).

Smith’s latest start was a reminder of how dominant he can be when he limits free passes (6.3 BB/9 rate across 83 1/3 Minor League innings). The 22-year-old southpaw threw first-pitch strikes to nine of 11 batters and finished with 27 of his 40 pitches going for strikes. Maybe most encouragingly after working his way back from a sore elbow, his fastball velocity averaged out at 95.6 mph overall and sat above 95 in each of his three frames.

Under the hood of Cunningham’s outing, he was impressive as well. Of his 46 pitches, just one measured out as being hard-hit. Batters swung at his slider when it was in the zone nearly 80 percent of the time, yet were unable to square up the offering.

Smith and Cunningham have gone from trading impressive performances in the SEC to doing so in the Fall League as two of the circuit’s premier arms. Maybe, sometimes, it just does mean more.