The Diamondbacks announced that they have selected the contract of Slade Cecconi. Righty Austin Adams was placed on the 60-day injured list with a fractured right ankle as the corresponding move.
Cecconi, a 6’4″ righty, gets his first big league call. Arizona selected him in the supplemental first round (33rd overall) three years ago coming out of the University of Miami. He’s moved one level at a time since beginning his pro career at High-A in 2021. Cecconi posted a 4.37 ERA with a 22.4% strikeout rate in 129 2/3 Double-A frames last season.
He’s had a harder time this year, which is a reflection of the brutal Pacific Coast League setting for pitchers. Hitters have connected on 23 home runs through 103 innings, contributing to an unsightly 6.38 ERA. Cecconi’s 23.1% strikeout percentage and 6.4% walk rate are each solid and in line from his prior marks at the Double-A level.
The 24-year-old is one of the better prospects in a deep Arizona system. Eric Longenhangen of FanGraphs ranked him 9th in the organization in mid-June. He checked in 11th on Baseball America’s recent refresh of the Snakes’ system. Both outlets credit him with solid control and a well-rounded arsenal headlined by an above-average to plus slider. BA writes that Cecconi has had trouble maintaining the quality of his stuff into the middle innings, though it seems he generally has the tools to stick in the back of a rotation.
Cecconi will take the ball tonight in San Francisco, opposing Logan Webb in his MLB debut. Whether he’ll stick in the rotation beyond this evening remains to be seen. Arizona had sought rotation help on the trade market but didn’t pull off an acquisition before the deadline. As a result, they’re left with varying degrees of uncertainty behind Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
Adams, a 32-year-old reliever, has made 24 appearances for the Snakes this season. He’s worked 17 1/3 innings, allowing 12 runs despite a quality 22:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Adams has previously pitched for the Nationals, Mariners and Padres and carries a 4.17 ERA through 114 1/3 big league innings. He’s struck out nearly a third of opponents but has walked almost 15% of batters faced and led the majors in hit batsmen with San Diego two seasons ago.
It’s possible the unfortunate ankle fracture will end his time as a D-Back. He’ll almost certainly miss the rest of the season. Arizona can control Adams for another year via arbitration but he seems likely to be non-tendered.
Fantastic baseball name.
That makes you homophobic,,misogynist, racist, transphobia and whatever other BS you can attach. I used to love baseball, where have you gone Joe Dimaggio?
Sir this is a Wendy’s
Sounds like grandpa got called out for being a scumbag by his grandkids and needs to rage on a baseball forum
It’s just curly being curly 🙂
Sounds like a character on the Sopranos.
He was selected for having the makings of a varsity athlete
JJ Putz’s Soulpatch
Your username made me lol
Hoping this kid sticks.
Wasnt that Fred Flintstones boss at the quarry
No that was Wink Martindale
True that fellas. Let’s burn one.
Slade
Rock band from the 70’s.
God, I’m old
I remember them.
Dbacks are thin on starting pitching for the rest of the season. Bumgarner, Davies and Jameson done for the season. Unfortunately, Cecconi only has 20 AAA starts. Last year, they wanted Jameson, Nelson, Henry to have 30-32 AAA starts under their belts before calling them up. So I’m concern the Dbacks were forced into rushing him.
The other option at AAA is Blake Walston, who is also sitting on about 20 AAA starts, but has much better numbers than Cecconi in Reno. I think it unfortunate for Cecconi, but maybe he’ll surprise us and work through it without becoming damaged goods.
I think Slade has earned another start after tonight.
Saw him in Reno last week, pitched really well against the stacked Dodgers AAA team. Several scouts were in the stands and from that game he’s now promoted, Trayce Thompson was traded the next morning and Josh Rojas and Ryan Bliss were traded a day or so later. That time of year.
Slade Cecconi has got to be the coolest name. Might become my new alias.
Well that don’t stop ’em from tryin’, Pancho, like Slade, here: he fancies himself as fast on the draw as them quarter-horse takin’ after a stray.