Joey Cantillo was named American League Rookie of the Month, logging 29.0 innings with a 1.55 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 5 starts.
Cade Smith earned American League Reliever of the Month, posting 7 saves (tied for 1st in the AL) with 22 strikeouts in 13 innings over 14 appearances.
Cantillo is the eighth rookie to win the award in the Guardians' history.
Smith's seven saves tied for the second-most among qualified relievers, and his 22 strikeouts ranked second.
Why this matters: These awards highlight the significant contributions of Cantillo and Smith to the Guardians' success, acknowledging their key roles in the team's pitching staff during a critical month.
Joey Cantillo rejoined the Guardians' rotation on September 3 and achieved a 2-0 record with a 1.55 ERA in five starts. He exhibited strong control with only 6 walks and 28 strikeouts. Notably, Cantillo delivered a scoreless start of at least eight innings, becoming the first Guardians pitcher to achieve this feat before the age of 26 since Triston McKenzie in August 2022.
Cade Smith solidified his role as the Guardians' closer, making 14 appearances in September. He maintained a 2.77 ERA across 13 innings, striking out 22 batters without issuing a single walk. Smith's consistency in converting save opportunities and ability to strike out batters underscore his value to the team's bullpen.
In the National League, Daylen Lile of the Washington Nationals was also named Rookie of the Month, hitting .391 with six home runs and 19 RBIs.
Q: Who are some other notable Guardians rookies who have won this award?
Previous winners include Steven Kwan, Tyler Naquin, Francisco Lindor, and CC Sabathia.
Q: How significant were Smith's saves in September?
Smith's seven saves tied for the second-most among all qualified relievers in the American League.
Joey Cantillo and Cade Smith's exceptional September performances were crucial to the Cleveland Guardians' success.
Cantillo's ability to pitch deep into games and Smith's effectiveness as a closer provided stability to the team's pitching staff.
These awards recognize the individual achievements of Cantillo and Smith and the Guardians' organizational success in developing young talent.
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