Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Smith made three scoreless relief appearances at the 2021 College World Series as freshman to help Mississippi State win its first-ever national title, then became the Bulldogs' top starter the next two years. He missed a month early last spring with an undisclosed injury but finished strong before the Yankees drafted him in the sixth round. They've excelled at finding and polishing pitchers in the fifth round or later in recent years, and he could follow in the tradition of Ken Waldichuk, Hayden Wesneski, Richard Fitts, Will Warren and Chase Hampton.

Smith's best pitch is an 83-85 mph slider that grades as plus with two-plane depth when it's on. His four-seam fastball sits at 92-94 mph and tops out at 97 with quality riding life that allows it to play better than its velocity when he commands it up in the zone. He can steal some strikes with a decent 78-82 mph curveball but his mid-80s changeup with mild fade needs a lot of work.

With his quick arm and relatively clean delivery, Smith is equipped to throw consistent strikes. But he doesn't always locate his fastball where he wants and struggles to land his slider and changeup in the zone, which could make him more of a multi-inning reliever than a starter. He'll pitch out of the rotation when he makes his pro debut in 2024.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40 

The Yankees have excelled at finding and developing pitchers in the fifth round or later of recent Drafts, including Ken Waldichuk, Hayden Wesneski, Richard Fitts, Will Warren and Chase Hampton. A 2023 sixth-rounder from Mississippi State, Smith fits the same mold. He contributed three scoreless appearances at the College World Series to the Bulldogs' national championship run in 2021 as a freshman before moving into the rotation the next two seasons. 

Smith's four-seam fastball operates at 92-94 mph, tops out at 97 and features plus riding action that allows it to play better than its velocity when he locates it up in the strike zone. His 83-85 mph slider can be a plus pitch with two-plane depth at its best. He lands a decent 78-82 mph curveball for strikes and has a mid-80s changeup with mild fade that lags behind the rest of his repertoire. 

Though Smith has a quick arm and a relatively clean delivery, he has yet to produce consistent strikes. He locates his fastball well enough but struggles to find the zone with his slider and changeup. He has the upside of a No. 4 starter and could wind up as more of a two-pitch, multi-inning reliever.

Awards

FSL Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
07/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/03/2024	Hudson Valley Renegades activated RHP Cade Smith from the 60-day injured list.
	08/26/2024	Hudson Valley Renegades transferred RHP Cade Smith from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	08/22/2024	Hudson Valley Renegades placed RHP Cade Smith on the 7-day injured list.
	08/06/2024	RHP Cade Smith assigned to Hudson Valley Renegades from Tampa Tarpons.
	04/03/2024	RHP Cade Smith assigned to Tampa Tarpons from FCL Yankees.
	03/15/2024	RHP Cade Smith assigned to New York Yankees Prospects.
	02/25/2024	RHP Cade Smith assigned to New York Yankees.
	07/29/2023	RHP Cade Smith assigned to FCL Yankees.
	07/18/2023	New York Yankees signed RHP Cade Smith.
	06/14/2023	RHP Cade Smith assigned to College Workout.
	02/01/2021	RHP Cade Smith assigned to Mississippi State Bulldogs.
	02/01/2021	RHP Cade Smith assigned to Mississippi State Bulldogs.