Slade Cecconi is virtually assured a spot in the Cleveland Guardians’ five-man starting rotation to begin the 2026 season. However, he is not taking anything for granted.
Coming off his first full season with the organization after being acquired in a trade that sent first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cecconi knows he still has plenty of things he can improve on. Being part of an organization that is known for developing pitchers is a situation he takes full advantage of.
In an interview with Zack Meisel of The Athletic, Cecconi compared his preparation to building a house. He has established a foundation and he is building out from there.
During spring training, Cecconi got honest about how he prepares and called himself a “pitching nerd.”
“He described himself as ‘the biggest pitching nerd’ who watches teammates’ bullpen sessions, sits behind home plate during live batting practice, and constantly asks other pitchers what they do best. He can apply what he’s learned to his home-building project,” Meisel wrote.
After two seasons with Arizona as a part-time reliever, Cecconi became a full-time starter with Cleveland. After his 2025 debut was delayed until mid-May by an oblique strain suffered in spring training, he made 23 starts and posted a 7-7 record with a 4.30 ERA in a career-high 132.0 innings, with 109 strikeouts and just 32 walks.
He may have tired in the late stages of the season, with a 4.91 ERA in 13 second-half starts. He also lasted just 2.1 innings in a playoff start against the Detroit Tigers, though he allowed just one run in a 6-3 series-deciding Game 3 loss in the AL Wild Card Round.
Now, as one of six contenders for the five openings in the rotation, he seems to be solidly on track to earn one of those roles. This spring training, in 12.2 innings over four starts, the right-hander has a 2.13 ERA and a 14-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
He could slot in right behind projected ace Gavin Williams along with Tanner Bibee. Left-handers Joey Cantillo, Logan Allen or Parker Messick are in a battle for the final two spots as Opening Day approaches.
Just 26 years old, if all goes well and he can avoid injury, Cecconi could be a fixture in Cleveland’s rotation for many years to come.
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