Verge: Humble Smith focused on what he could control in outstanding rookie season

Junior National Team alum Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) was outstanding out of the Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen in his rookie season.

October 30, 2024

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

One of most dominant relievers in the big leagues this season started each game the same as he did as when he was in middle school.

It was a part of Cade Smith’s routine prior to signing with the Cleveland Guardians, before he had a 2024 rookie season where he shut down the opposing team consistently with a 1.91 ERA.

On car rides to the field with his dad, Tim Smith, as a youngster, and after, when Smith started driving himself, before he left their home in British Columbia. And now, separated by a border, it comes through text.

Sometimes, he plays coach dad, the older Smith said, with a “Pitch like you can,” to his son, but always, it’s “Honour God with your effort, attitude and ability.”

No matter what stadium Smith is warming up at that afternoon or evening, every outing before he takes the field, he reads that text from his dad.

They are words the 25-year-old plays the game by.

Whether he was making his debut for Cleveland, or warming up for an important postseason appearance, those words help him keep things in perspective.

“I can’t control very much, I can’t control anything about the outcome, but I can certainly control how I control my attitude and my effort,” Smith said.

By only focusing on what is in his control, and not getting caught up on external factors, he stays level-headed. He knows who he is - Cade Smith - regardless of how things play out on the mound. Phenomenal success like he saw this past season, or failure, his identity doesn’t change, the Junior National team alumnus said. That’s key to victory in a game that can have many ups and downs, where dwelling on the failures can lead to a spiral even the most talented players cannot recover from.

“It’s much harder to rebound from that and come back to the field fresh and get the work done and prepare and be ready to do it again when you're still holding onto the night before,” Smith said, who prior to signing his contract, was a promising scholar and top student in his organic chemistry class at the University of Hawaii.

“So I think that’s a big thing, like just to be able to learn and forget and move on, and to understand that the outcome doesn't define you.”

And with 103 strikeouts in 75 innings, the rookie was more than level headed - he was unfazed by his first season in the majors, mastering both the mental and physical side of the game like a veteran. He was a consistent go-to in the bullpen for the Guardians, a reliable arm you could count on, every game.

It started with five strikeouts in two innings in his debut, and continued through what can be a long and grueling 162-game season, and into the postseason. The energy was unlike anything he’d ever felt before, Smith said, and getting to hug and celebrate with his teammates after a marathon long effort, and finally indulge in that delayed gratification and celebrate, satisfying.

Cade Smith, third from the right, is very close with his family who came out to cheer him on at the Oakland Coliseum this season. Photo supplied.

Although the Guardians were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, Smith still saw success there. In his nine appearances and 10 innings of work with 16 strikeouts. His nine appearances set a new Canadian single season playoff pitching record.

But it’s not the only record he’s broken this season.

His 12 strikeouts in the AL Division Series were the most for a reliever in history in the division round. His 103 strikeout season puts him in a small group - one of four Canadian relievers to ever strikeout 100+ hitters in a season.

Through the success, he remains who he’s always been, his dad said.

Humble.

“He wants to prove himself and he's not looking to flaunt anything,” he said. “He's just trying to prove that he belongs.”

Although, he has picked up a couple of alternate identities from his time on the diamond from fans and teammates.

“K’D Smith,” is one of them. With that 103 total during the season, being K’D by Cade was a common occurrence.

Another nickname, or describing word for the pitcher?

Robot.

Smith thinks that one came about a couple of years ago.

Although likely an affectionate nod to how the pitcher stays unaffected by whatever happens on the field, he’ll be sticking with Cade Smith still off of it.

“I think nicknames are fun but, like, I’m not going to introduce myself by them or anything,” he said.

In his off-season list of plans, is finally making a trip back home to British Columbia with his wife, Liz. It’s a trip he was unable to make for more than 2 1/2 years while awaiting his U.S. residency. His arrival will be greeted by friends and family, and their family dog, Oakley the golden doodle, who Smith trained during the pandemic, and has watched grow up through pictures.

Cade Smith and his wife, Liz, and their dog Oakley, whom Smith trained during the pandemic. Photo supplied.

Baseball wise, he’s going to be reviewing and breaking down his outings this year with Guardians staff, to see what he can learn and build from heading into next year.

The plan going into his second season in the majors?

Do the same thing when the snow melts, the weather warms up, and the 2025 baseball season is here.

“I really enjoyed being a part of that [playoff run], and I’m hoping I can contribute and we can do that again next year,” he said.