MLB is, by far, the best and toughest baseball league in the world.
You can imagine that being a rookie there is among the hardest things in progressional sports: the gap in talent between Triple-A and the majors is considerable.
Then we have the special players, the ‘chosen ones’ that make it look easy.
That’s the case of Cleveland Guardians reliever Cade Smith.
Smith was protected from the Rule 5 draft last fall by being added to the 40-man roster.
No one saw what was coming, though.
He not only won a spot on the active roster since day one, but he became one of the most dominant relievers in the league as a rookie.
Now, he has entered a group of incredibly talented first-year pitchers who have achieved some amazing numbers.
“Since 1947, just six MLB pitchers have thrown 100+ strikeouts with a sub-2 ERA in a season as a rookie: CADE SMITH (2024), Paul Skenes (2024), Seunghwan Oh (2016), Dellin Betances (2014), Mark Eichhorn (1986), Bob Lee (1964),” Guardians stats expert Luke Potosky posted on X.
Since 1947, just six MLB pitchers have thrown 100+ strikeouts with a sub-2 ERA in a season as a rookie:
• CADE SMITH (2024)
• Paul Skenes (2024)
• Seunghwan Oh (2016)
• Dellin Betances (2014)
• Mark Eichhorn (1986)
• Bob Lee (1964)#ForTheLand | @CleGuardians https://t.co/GCeiabrBIW pic.twitter.com/3LvSAz9udY— Luke Potosky (@LukePotosky) September 30, 2024
These stats and facts help us dimension Smith’s dominant season in history.
He posted a 1.91 ERA in 75.1 frames, with 103 strikeouts to boot.
His 0.90 WHIP was magnificent, and only one hitter homered off him.
Maybe the most encouraging stat on Smith’s profile is the fact that only two of 36 inherited runners went on to score.
It shows he can really thrive as the team’s ‘fireman’, putting out fires whenever they appear.
This is a legit high-leverage star and the Guardians are lucky to have him on board as they try to win their first World Series since 1948.
NEXT: Astros And Tigers Will Play For The Right To Face Guardians In Division Series
