In 2024, Cade Smith appeared out of nowhere to become one of the Guardians’ most powerful bullpen weapons. On Saturday, the 25-year-old Canadian native was recognized in his home nation.
Smith, who was just named Major League Baseball Network’s No. 2 reliever, earned a special achievement award from Baseball Canada, the national governing body for baseball in the Great White North.
Smith went 6-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 74 bullpen appearances, striking out 103 batters over 75 1/3 innings. He led all Canadian-born MLB pitchers in ERA, games played, holds (28), WAR (2.5), WHIP (0.90), and opponent batting average (.190).
Smith’s record-breaking rookie season was celebrated at Baseball Canada’s annual national team honors gala and fundraiser, held in Toronto. Several big league veterans attended the event, including Smith’s battery mate, Bo Naylor.
Smith finished fifth in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s voting for the American League Rookie of the Year award and garnered one vote for fifth place in the AL Cy Young Award competition. He led in innings pitched, tied for first in wins, and finished second in appearances, strikeouts, and holds. Smith appeared in nine postseason games for Cleveland, the most by a Canadian pitcher in a single season.
His 12 strikeouts in the AL Division Series set a Division Series record for a bullpen.
Naylor was questioned on Saturday about catching Smith in 2024, according to Canadian baseball blogger Kevin Glew.
“It was very easy,” Naylor remarked. “A lot of the time, I just put down a fastball and we were out of the inning.”
