Cade Smith

Scouting Report

After making three scoreless relief appearances at the 2021 College World Series as a freshman to help Mississippi State win its first national title, Smith served as the Bulldogs' top starter the next two seasons. He missed a month early in his Draft year in 2023 with illness and a slight forearm strain but returned to finish strong before the Yankees selected him in the sixth round. He compiled a 3.65 ERA, .187 average-against and 31 percent strikeout rate in his pro debut last summer, mostly at Single-A, before getting shut down for the final three weeks with mild shoulder soreness. Smith's best attribute is his ability to spin the ball, which produces a plus mid-80s slider with two-plane depth and a solid low-80s curveball with similar depth. He also generates high spin rates on his fastball, which operates at 92-94 mph and touches 96 with carry but is also fairly straight and can get pounded when he doesn't command it. He doesn't have much trust in his mid-80s changeup with mild fade and doesn't throw it for strikes. While Smith is a bit smaller than a typical starter, he has a quick arm and a relatively clean delivery. He relies on chases more than landing his pitches in the zone, so he'll need to learn to command his fastball and control his breaking balls as he rises through the Minors. He has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter and a sturdy floor as a multi-inning reliever.