high-upside strikeout arm whose freshman season was derailed by injury
Makala Smith is a 6-foot righty with real swing-and-miss stuff, and Oklahoma State coach Kenny Gajewski praised her speed, movement and off-speed pitch mix while saying she has the chance to be a force right away. In 2025, she arrived with elite prep credentials — NFCA second team All-American, District MVP and a dominant high-school resume — but her 2026 freshman season was limited by injury, with just one appearance at Nebraska in the Super Regional. She looks like a strong fit for teams valuing upside, tempo and competitive fire, but durability is the big question.
