Cade Smith's recent shutout streak shows why he's the Gardians' closer of the future

For a baseball player, nothing is more valuable than a streak. It’s a sign that everything is in sync from the mechanics to the the mindset and the execution.

And for the Cleveland Guardians, one of their best streaks of the year belonged to reliever Cade Smith. With star closer Emmanuel Clase's future in Cleveland up in the air, the Guardians need Smith to be a reliable, high-leverage arm more than ever as they push for a Wild Card spot.

And while Smith's first foray into closing didn't go great, he's spent a better part of the past month putting together a run of dominance that proves he's the real deal.

Prior to giving up a game-tying home run on Monday, Smith had been flawless in his previous seven outings — a span in which he didn't allow a run and recorded five saves. This isn't a flash in the pan; it's the kind of performance that can save a team during a tight playoff race.

Cade Smith has morphed into one of the best closers in baseball

That recent run is a testament to Smith's poise and his elite arsenal. He's making batters miss at an incredible rate, with a whiff rate in the 94th percentile despite having an average fastball velocity that ranks in the 68th percentile.

His mechanics, which are the key to his success, are still elite. He has a great four-seam fastball that works in tandem with his splitter and sweeper. His elite extension makes his four-seamer look even faster. He's also limiting hard contact, as his hard-hit rate of 48.4% is in the top quarter of the league.

In total, Smith has gone 6-5 with a 15 ERA in 68 2/3 innings this year. He's posted a 3.13 ERA in 23 innings since becoming the Guardians' full-time closer.

The Guardians have a history of developing elite relievers, and Smith is a great example of that. He was a young player who was thrust into a high-leverage position, and he has handled it with poise and confidence. He's still learning how to be a full-time closer, but he has all the tools to succeed.

With the team on the cusp of the postseason, the Guardians need a torchbearer in the ninth inning. And while there are other options, Smith has shown that he has the stuff, poise, and mentality needed to be the Guardians' closer for years to come.

He's still a young player, but he's already a force on the mound, and his current streak proves that he's ready for the spotlight. If the Guardians are going to make a run for the Wild Card, they'll need Smith to keep this magical streak going.