White Sox Draft Lefty Hagen Smith at No. 5 in 2024 MLB Draft
The White Sox surprised many by selecting left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, despite limited pre-draft interactions. Scouting director Mike Shirley emphasized the strategic and financial considerations behind the pick, comparing Smith to elite pitchers like Chris Sale. The draft also saw the White Sox focusing on midwestern talent and addressing the challenges posed by NIL money and the transfer portal in college baseball.