Cade

Smith

Smith has blossomed into one of the best relievers in baseball this season, posting a microscopic 2.22 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 62/9 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings (44 appearances). The unheralded 25-year-old righty made Cleveland’s season-opening roster and has reeled off six consecutive scoreless appearances since July 2. Per Lance Brozdowski of Marquee Sports Network, Smith gets a ton of extension on his fastball, which is causing it to play up relative to expectations, leading to an astronomical 36 percent strikeout rate.

Emmanuel Clase had the day off after pitching the previous three days. Scott Barlow would normally be next in line, but the Guardians decided against having him pitch for what would have been a third straight day. Smith is shaping up as an excellent reliever, having amassed a 2.01 ERA and a 32/7 K/BB in 22 1/3 innings. He still hasn’t given up a homer, either, though Francisco Lindor nearly had one off him today.

Myles Straw, who has already reportedly been placed on waivers, and Deyvison De Los Santos did not. The biggest surprise here is Smith, who lands the final spot in Cleveland’s bullpen, barring an unexpected late addition.

Smith had a 4.65 ERA in 40 2/3 innings after moving up to Triple-A last season, but that came with 66 strikeouts. He has a career 37% strikeout rate out of the pen since going unselected out of Hawaii in the five-round 2020 draft, and he could log some time in the Cleveland bullpen next season.