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White Sox secret weapon? Smith excelling in any and every role

Rookie left-hander Hagen Smith has emerged as a versatile weapon for Chicago after delivering another strong postseason performance. Working on a reliever-style schedule, the young pitcher tossed two and two-thirds scoreless frames during a three-to-zero victory over Cleveland, striking out four batters while allowing no hits.

Manager Will Venable deployed the rookie to bridge innings, though control issues forced his departure in the third frame before reliever Bryan Hudson extinguished the threat.

Originally drafted fifth overall out of the University of Arkansas, the twenty-three-year-old transitioned to the bullpen in August following a shoulder issue and finished the regular season with a stellar one point two nine earned run average. Opposing hitter Jo Adell noted the effectiveness of his fastball and breaking pitches during the contest.

Having thrown fifty-one pitches in this outing, the rookie expressed readiness to return to the mound for the next game of the series.

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