The Cleveland Guardians lost a lot when they moved on from Josh Naylor.
They’ve missed him at the plate, especially given how much they’ve struggled to get anything going on offense this season.
Nevertheless, they at least got a fairly decent return.
At least, that’s how R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports feels.
In his latest column, he gushed about Slade Cecconi, going as far as to call him one of the most notable ‘under-the-radar’ additions in the entire league this season:
“Cecconi was the return the Guardians received from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for first baseman Josh Naylor. I doubt even Cleveland foresaw him entering the All-Star break leading their active starting rotation in both ERA+ (119) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.11), but he’s settled into a groove over his last seven starts. To wit, Cecconi has compiled a 2.72 ERA and 26 more strikeouts than walks while averaging 5.6 innings per pop since the start of June. That’ll play for a Guardians club that is without starters Shane Bieber, John Means, and Ben Lively on account of injury, as well as Luis L. Ortiz because of a league gambling investigation,” Anderson wrote of Cecconi, naming him among notable under-the-radar additions.
Cecconi has posted a 2.10 ERA in over 30 innings in his last five starts on the road.
He’s coming off inducing 13 whiffs in a win over the Houston Astros, helping the team get some much-needed momentum and sweep the Astros for the first time in almost a decade.
He has a vast repertoire and looks to be always in control, and he’s been an absolute blessing for the Guardians’ rather inconsistent rotation.
The Guardians haven’t been able to live up to the expectations this season.
But even in spite of their struggles, they’re not that far behind in the AL Wild Card race.
Shane Bieber should return at some point in the second half of the season, and with Cecconi playing at this level and Tanner Bibee bouncing back from an inconsistent first half, this team could stand a chance.
Some might still believe they would be better off with Naylor, but as much as they’ve missed him, Cecconi has been an absolute stud.
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