Methods for classifying data in a storage device are provided. A data classifier module in a controller calculates a placement factor of one or more streams of data associated with one or more logical block addresses based on a metadata update and recency count table. The data classifier module then classifies the one or more streams of data associated with one or more logical block addresses as hot, warm, or cold streams of data. Hot streams of data are routed to hot open memory blocks, warm streams of data are routed to warm open memory blocks, and cold streams of data are routed to cold open memory blocks. Routing streams of data to hot, warm, or cold open memory blocks results in more efficient garbage collection procedures and the reduction of block erasures.