Cleveland Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi took a few weeks to recover from the oblique strain he suffered during spring training, in mid-March.
Fans were naturally paying close attention to Cecconi’s Cactus League performance and then to his recovery because he was the centerpiece of the Josh Naylor trade in the offseason.
It has taken some time, but if the Guardians and fans are patient, they might enjoy a talented pitcher contributing to the MLB squad soon.
On Wednesday, Cecconi made his Triple-A debut and showed a lot of promise.
“Cleveland #Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi looked sharp tonight for Triple-A Columbus making his first rehab start striking out five St. Paul batters over 3.1 innings of work. Line – 3.1(IP) 1H 2R 2ER 1BB 5SO (50 Pitches 33 Strikes). Fastball topped out at 98.2 mph and averaged 95.4 mph. He induced 10 swings and misses,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi looked sharp tonight for Triple-A Columbus making his first rehab start striking out five St. Paul batters over 3.1 innings of work.
Line – 3.1(IP) 1H 2R 2ER 1BB 5SO
(50 Pitches 33 Strikes)
Fastball topped out at 98.2 mph and averaged… pic.twitter.com/GYXWGVijgI
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 30, 2025
The fastball velocity and the fact that he is being stretched out to start are encouraging signs.
When he landed in Cleveland, there was talk about him being groomed for the bullpen.
Cleveland, however, still sees a potential starter in him and is developing him accordingly.
He is touching 98.2 mph, so he is definitely 100 percent healthy or close to that status.
Now, he needs to string together a few strong outings in Triple-A, stretch out to five or six innings, and embrace and apply the Guardians’ approach and strategy to be considered for a role in the major league staff eventually.
He has a lot to prove, though: last year, he posted a 6.66 ERA with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The tools are there for him to become a difference-maker.
NEXT: Insider Suggests Guardians Are Benching Starting Infielder
