Jim Schlossnagle compares Hagen Smith to Paul Skenes: 'He's in the conversation for sure'

Texas A&M picked up a big extra innings win on Thursday evening to open the final series of the season in a clash of Top 5 teams, besting Arkansas. Head coach Jim Schlossnagle heaped praise on opposing starting pitcher Hagen Smith, one of the best starters in the country.

And while he hasn’t been quite as dominant a force, Smith compares favorably to LSU’s 2023 ace, Paul Skenes, Schlossnagle said.

“He’s probably, he’s in the conversation, for sure. I can’t remember a better left handed starter. Well I should say with that kind of arm. We’ve faced a lot of really good left handed pitchers that have had great seasons and great numbers, but with that kind of arm,” Schlossnagle said.

Smith leads the country with a 1.52 earned run average, and is No. 2 nationally in strikeouts. He’s also No. 4 nationally in walks and hits per innings pitched. And as Schlossnagle noted, Smith is dominating from the mound with a power lefty arm that’s not terribly common.

Schlossnagle predicted that Smith might be in position to rival a feat only accomplished once, and by one of his previous players at his previous job: Former TCU pitcher Brandon Finnegan, the only man to pitch in a College World Series and MLB’s World Series in the same year.

“I’ve coached the only college pitcher to pitch in the College World Series and the Major League World Series in the same year, and I can say, we just said in the locker room, ‘That guy’s going to be pitching this October,'” Schlossnagle said. “I don’t know how you couldn’t, unless he’s not rested, how do you not take that guy and get him into your bullpen?”

Schlossnagle hyped up Smith during the game

Smith continued his dominance in a big way to start Thursday’s series opener as the rain fell in College Station, holding Texas A&M scoreless and allowing just two hits while striking out 14 Aggies.

For Schlossnagle, Smith’s season is among the best he’s seen from a left-hander. But he also broke down a key to potentially find success against one of the game’s top arms.

“I was just saying in the dugout, I don’t remember – 35 years, I’ve faced plenty of really good lefties, but I don’t remember a starter with this kind of arm,” Schlossnagle said on the ESPN2 broadcast. “That last pitch to [Hayden] Schott, holy cow. That shouldn’t be legal.

“But I think it’s just a matter of, especially the right-handed hitters, you’ve got to be able to lay off the pitch. [Gavin] Grahovac swung at a ball four, [Jackson] Appell swung at a ball four. Easier said than done, but you’ve just got to get him on the plate.”