Cade Jared Benjamin Smith (born May 9, 1999) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Cade Smith
Smith in 2024
Cleveland Guardians – No. 36
Pitcher
Born: (1999-05-09) May 9, 1999 (age 25)
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 30, 2024, for the Cleveland Guardians
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record6–1
Earned run average1.91
Strikeouts103
Teams

Career

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Smith attended Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and played college baseball at University of Hawaii at Manoa.[1][2]

After going undrafted in the 2020 MLB draft, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith signed with the Cleveland Indians.[3][4] He spent his first professional season in 2021, pitching for the Lynchburg Hillcats and Lake County Captains. In 2022, he played for Lake County and Akron RubberDucks. After the season, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League.[5]

In 2023, Smith was selected to play for the Canadian national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[6]

The Guardians selected Smith's contract on November 14, 2023, adding him to their 40-man roster.[7] On March 30, 2024, Smith made his MLB debut, striking out five Oakland Athletics batters in two innings pitched. His performance set a Cleveland record for the most strikeouts in a debut of two innings pitched or fewer.[8] Smith made his postseason debut on October 5, striking out all four Detroit Tigers he faced in a 7-0 Cleveland victory in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Smith fanned 12 of the 22 batters he faced in the ALDS, setting a major league record for strikeouts by a reliever in the Division Series.

References

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  1. ^ Rainbow Warriors look for ‘Twin’ career out of Cade Smith
  2. ^ Abbotsford’s Cade Smith picked by Minnesota Twins
  3. ^ University of Hawaii pitcher Cade Smith signs with Indians
  4. ^ Former ‘Bows Pitcher, Cade Smith, ready for chance with Cleveland Indians
  5. ^ Guardians' Martinez stepping up vs. older competition in AFL
  6. ^ Abbotsford’s Cade Smith named to Team Canada for World Baseball Classic
  7. ^ Bell, Mandy (November 14, 2023). "Quantrill DFA'd in surprising move to protect young pitchers". MLB.com.
  8. ^ "Cade Smith reunites with family, sets club record in MLB debut". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
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