Rookie Cade Smith Emerges as Key Player for Cleveland Guardians in 2024 Season

In a dramatic start to the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the Cleveland Guardians faced a difficult decision on their roster composition. The team was left in suspense as it considered whether to fill a roster spot with rookie Cade Smith or acquire a seasoned reliever from another team’s bullpen. This decision came amid injuries affecting key players in the bullpen.

Ultimately, the Guardians chose to rely on Smith, a young player with a unique journey. Smith, who almost quit baseball in high school in Abbotsford, British Columbia, shared his excitement upon learning he had secured a position just hours before the season opener. “It was quite overwhelming,” Smith reportedly mentioned to family and friends gathered around him in San Francisco.

Smith’s path to professional baseball was unconventional. He initially pursued studies in biology and was considering a career in medicine before turning to baseball. After going undrafted in 2020 due to a pandemic-shortened draft, Smith was signed by Cleveland, well-known for its pitching development programs. “They believed in my potential,” Smith stated about the Guardians’ decision.

Smith showcased his prowess on the mound with a remarkable rookie season, becoming a vital component of the Guardians’ pitching plans for the postseason. The rookie made an impression by becoming the first Cleveland reliever in 25 years to achieve over 100 strikeouts in a season. His performance was characterized by a powerful fastball, which Statcast ranked as the most effective pitch in the sport for 2024.

Teammates and coaches praised Smith for his calm demeanor and strategic mindset. “Cade’s kind of a robot,” remarked fellow pitcher David Fry. The Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis noted that Smith’s entry from the bullpen was met with confidence and relief by the rest of the pitching staff.

Throughout the season, Smith’s ability to rattle opposing batters with both his fastball and splitter became a key asset. Statistically, hitters had a .174 average against his fastball and a .175 average against his splitter, demonstrating his dual-threat capability on the mound.

Despite being his first year, Smith adjusted to late-inning duties with ease, thanks in part to the presence of established closer Emmanuel Clase. This strategic flexibility allowed the Guardians’ coaching staff, including manager Stephen Vogt, to use Smith in critical situations, much like former manager Terry Francona employed ace reliever Andrew Miller.

Smith’s emergence as a top reliever can be attributed to his relentless pursuit of improvement. He absorbed feedback through tools like TrackMan data and continually refined his pitching arsenal. New techniques, including perfecting his extension and solving inconsistencies with his splitter, paid dividends as the season progressed.

The rookie’s journey and success have been met with astonishment and admiration from his teammates. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” stated catcher Austin Hedges, emphasizing the rarity of Smith’s achievements for a first-year player.