Cade Smith
#36 RP · Guardians
Height
6'5"
Weight
230 lbs
Age
27
College
N/A
Experience
2 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
A
A+
—
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsA
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 167 | 2.488978 | 16-6 | 230 | 0.97995996 | 0.0 | 27 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Performance Analysis
A
FCA+
Cade Smith emerged as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball during his second season with the Cleveland Guardians, establishing himself as a shutdown weapon despite his limited major league experience. The 26-year-old right-hander has appeared in an undefined number of career games across two seasons, which reflects the typical development pattern for late-inning relievers who must prove their mettle in high-leverage situations before earning consistent opportunities. Smith's arsenal features a devastating slider that has become his signature pitch, complementing a mid-90s fastball that plays up due to his deceptive delivery and ability to command the strike zone. His performance grade of A reflects not just his raw stuff, but his composure in pressure moments and his ability to attack opposing hitters with conviction. The Guardians have deployed him strategically throughout his brief career, allowing him to build confidence while protecting his arm for long-term success. Smith's limited experience remains both a concern for durability projections and an indicator of his upside, as he continues to refine his approach against major league hitting. As he enters his third season, the key will be whether he can maintain his elite performance while handling an increased workload in Cleveland's bullpen hierarchy.
Fan & Media Sentiment
A+
Very Positive
NegativeNeutralPositive
Cade Smith, a relief pitcher for the Guardians, carries mixed-to-positive public sentiment based on their elite production. His A+ performance grade positions him among the elite at the relief pitcher position. While he has yet to earn major individual awards, his contributions to the Guardians keep him in the conversation. On a contract worth $780K/year, minimal financial investment means any production is viewed favorably. Fan sentiment leans positive overall, though some segments remain watchful for more sustained production before fully buying in. At 26, he has significant runway for development, and the baseball community will be watching closely for continued growth.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 5/8 | vs MIN | W 6-4 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
| Thu, 5/7 | @ KC | W 8-5 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
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About this player
Cade Smith is a player in his 2nd MLB season listed at RP for the Guardians. FanVerdicts maintains four independent grades for every MLB player on an active roster — Contract Value Index for the deal itself, Performance for on-field production, Sentiment for media and fan reaction, and Fan Verdict for community voting. Current grades for Cade Smith: Contract Value Index pending, Performance A, Sentiment A+, Fan Verdict pending.
Every grade refreshes on its own cadence as new data lands. Performance recalculates when MLB game stats post; Sentiment updates with new media coverage and fan discussion; Contract Value Index recomputes when contract terms change; Fan Verdict reflects live community voting on this profile. Contract details below show the structure (years, total value, average annual value, guarantees) the Contract Value Index grade is computed against.
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