October 16, 2024

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Canadians Otto Lopez and Cade Smith have been selected to the 2024 MLB Pipeline All-Rookie Teams.

The teams were unveiled on Tuesday by MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo.

Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal, was named second baseman on the All-Rookie First Team after a breakout campaign with the Miami Marlins, while Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) was recognized as the relief pitcher on the Second Team after his outstanding regular season with the Cleveland Guardians.

It’s easy to forget that Lopez still qualifies as a rookie. He made his big-league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2021, but he had played just nine major league games prior to this season.

On February 13, Lopez, who suited up for Canada at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, had his contract sold to the San Francisco Giants by the Blue Jays. He spent spring training with the Giants before he was designated for assignment and claimed on waivers by the Marlins.

The 26-year-old infielder was the hottest hitting Canadian big leaguer down the stretch, batting .344 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 25 games in September. In all, in 117 contests with the Marlins, Lopez hit .270 with six home runs, 39 RBIs and topped all rookie second basemen with a 2.6 WAR.

Smith, who continues to be lights out for the Guardians this postseason, earned All-Rookie Second Team honours (Oakland A’s closer Mason Miller was the First Team reliever) after posting a 6-1 record and a 1.91 ERA and striking out 103 batters in 75 1/3 innings in 74 appearances during the regular season. The 6-foot-5 right-hander averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings and opponents hit just .190 against him.

Smith’s 103 Ks made him just the fourth Canadian reliever to register 100 strikeouts in a major league season, joining John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.), Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) and Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.).

Smith permitted just two of 36 inherited baserunners to score during the regular season, which represented the best ratio in baseball.

Earlier this off-season, Smith was named to Baseball America’s All-Rookie Team. The Junior National Team alum should also be a strong candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year award and for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award, which is presented annually to the top Canuck player.

Blue Jays first baseman Spencer Horwitz was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team. He batted .265 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 97 games for the Blue Jays this season.