Cade SmithCLE · RP

2026 review

Cade Smith was the closer TDK LABS kept coming back to as the best in the game: a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 74.0 IP, a 36.3 K% and a 7.8 BB% over 295 BF across 69 games, with 41 SV and 5 BS and a 6-1 record. Drafted at NFBC ADP rank 38, he finished 41st of 1472 overall in the TDK LABS 5x5 value rank, 3 spots below, and 7th of 811 pitchers, 2nd of 575 relievers. His 1.95 ERA ran 0.88 below his 2.83 xERA over 295 BF. His 36.3 K% over 295 BF was the 9th highest of 517 pitchers with 100+ BF, and his 32.5 CSW% and 15.7 SwStr% over 1238 pitches were the 10th and 19th highest of that same pool. His fastball also picked up steam, averaging 96.8 mph in 406 pitches from Mar-Jun and 98.2 mph in 383 pitches from Jul-Sep. He posted a 0.00 ERA in 13.0 IP in Sep against a 4.22 ERA in 10.2 IP in Jun. The TDK LABS card tracked him as a steady, uncontested closer all year, flagging saves and clean ratios in early May, calling him a rare tier-one profile with no fatigue concerns by mid Aug, still riding clean appearances by late Sep, and closing the season describing him as the league's top closer with no committee threat in sight.