Former Razorbacks Smith and Stovall shining early in pro careers

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Former Arkansas baseball standouts Hagen Smith and Peyton Stovall are both off to nice starts in their young professional careers.

Smith, drafted fifth overall by the Chicago White Sox, pitched three scoreless innings for High A Winston Salem in his debut on Saturday night.

Smith, college baseball’s outstanding pitcher in 2024, fanned three and allowed a pair of third-inning hits ands did not walk any of the Aberdeen Firebirds he faced in what turned into a 2-1 loss.

“It was pretty cool just making my debut today,” Smith told MLB.com, “My fastball and slider were really good. I didn’t throw any changeups, but I wanted to attack hitters and just get after it.”

In his debut, Smith faced a former travel ball foe in Baltimore prospect Creed Willems and fanned him.

“It was an amazing moment to play against him,” Smith said “I love Creed, he’s a really great guy and I got to talk to him earlier this week during batting practice and it was a great conversation.”

Smith stranded runners at second and third base in the third inning when he whiffed the last two batters he faced.

“Just getting acclimated to being in the Minor Leagues,” Smith said. “It’s slightly different than college, so just being out here has been amazing and I’m just enjoying every moment of it.”

• • •

Stovall, selected by Cincinnati in the fourth round, hit an RBI triple in his first pro at bat on Aug. 20 and reached base three times in his debut game as his Class A Dayton Tortugas downed the host Jupiter Hammerheads 7-1.

Ironically, Stovall did not have a single triple in his three-year Razorback career before hitting one at Roger Dean Stadium, spring training facility shared by the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins.

Stovall is hitting .286 (5 of 14) with two RBIs and two stolen bases in his first five games with his team having 12 regular season games left.

Photo by John D. James