Cleveland’s Parker Messick is a finalist for both American League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young, while closer Cade Smith is up for the inaugural AL Reliever of the Year award. Their nominations reflect breakout seasons that helped make them key pieces of the Guardians’ success.

By the Numbers
  • Messick: 2.56 ERA, 193 strikeouts and 186⅓ innings across 32 starts.
  • Smith: 41 saves, a 1.95 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 74 innings.
  • Messick’s 6.3 wins above replacement ranked fifth in the AL; Smith’s 41 saves tied for the MLB lead.
Yes, But

Finalists’ honors are not guarantees: Messick faces Kevin McGonigle and Payton Tolle for Rookie of the Year, and Cam Schlittler and Dylan Cease for Cy Young. Smith’s Reliever of the Year competition includes Bryan Baker and Louis Varland.

What's Next

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America will announce Rookie of the Year on Nov. 9, with Cy Young and Reliever of the Year winners to follow Nov. 11. Postseason performance does not count toward the voting.

Bottom Line

Messick and Smith turned standout seasons into major award chances—and recognition of how central both were to Cleveland’s 2026 campaign.