Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith is an elite pitcher but still isn't getting the recognition he deserves.
A reliever who gives up a ton of runs can become one of the most recognizable names to a fan base. However, a pitcher who simply comes in, does their job, and puts up zeroes may not get the true recognition they deserve.
The ladder is where Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith falls. As good as Cade is, he probably isn’t being talked about enough, and his outs on Friday, followed by the stat that followed, are proof of that.
The Guardians once again turned to Smith as they looked to take their series opener against the Athletics. Fourteen pitches after Smith took the mound, he was high-fiving Patrick Bailey after notching another save.
Cade also joined elite company after this outing.
Smith is now the second reliever in MLB history with 100 or more strikeouts during their first three seasons, with Dick Radatz being the other. Plus, the only two relievers with 100 or more strikeouts in MLB over the last three seasons are Cade and San Diego Padres superstar closer Mason Miller.
Cade also dropped his career ERA to 2.30, which is the third-lowest among pitchers (min. 200 or more games pitched) in the last 110 years. The other two pitchers are Emmanuel Clase (1.88) and Mariano Rivera (2.21).
There’s no doubt about it; Cade Smith is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and is on track to be one of the best in MLB history, too.
May 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Cade Smith (36) celebrates with catcher Patrick Bailey (16) after the Guardians beat the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images“What Cade has done in three years, getting thrown into a closer role halfway through a year that happened overnight and turned himself into one of the best, if not the best, closers in the game-and to get 100 punchouts three years in a row is super impressive,” said manager Stephen Vogt on Friday.
Despite everything that Smith has already proved he can do on the mound, he said after Friday’s game that his mindset is always trying to figure out ways he can learn and be an even better pitcher for his team.
It’s incredible to think that the Cleveland went from one of the best closers in baseball, and after existential circumstances, turned the page to another one of the best pitchers in baseball like clockwork.
Yes, a lot of credit goes to Cade and everything that he’s done to put himself in this position, but Cleveland’s pitching development team also needs recognition, too.
No matter what happens throughout a game, the Guardians can always count on having one of the best arms in baseball when the ninth inning comes around.
