The Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has faced significant challenges lately, but few players have experienced a tougher season than right-hander Slade Cecconi. Recently optioned to AAA-Reno for the fourth time this season, Cecconi’s journey has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. He will be replaced in the bullpen by newly called-up RHP Yilber Diaz.
A Promising Start
Cecconi began the 2024 season in AAA-Reno, aiming to establish himself as a reliable starter. After making four solid starts with the Aces, he was called up on April 21 when Merrill Kelly went on the injured list due to a shoulder strain. Initially, Cecconi appeared to belong in the Major League rotation, delivering back-to-back six-inning quality starts against the Giants and Mariners. His early success solidified his position, especially given the prolonged absence of Kelly, who missed nearly four months.
The Struggles Begin
However, Cecconi’s promising start did not last. Over his next 12 appearances, he faced significant difficulties. Only two of those outings resulted in quality starts, and he posted a dismal 6.61 ERA, ranking him among the worst starters in baseball during that span. Additionally, he allowed eight home runs in just 49 innings, contributing to a high 1.47 HR/9 rate. His strikeout numbers were concerning as well, with a below-average 18% strikeout rate and an 18.8% whiff rate.
Interestingly, Cecconi’s underlying metrics suggested his results might not tell the whole story. His 4.52 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) indicated he was giving up more runs than expected, but it still marked a subpar performance overall.
Transition to Relief
Following a four-inning start against the Braves on July 10, where he allowed three earned runs, the Diamondbacks decided to shift Cecconi away from starting duties. He was sent back to AAA-Reno, where he transitioned into a relief role. In this new capacity, he found success, striking out seven of the 19 batters he faced (a 37% K rate) in his first stint as a reliever.
This turnaround could be attributed to a significant change in his pitch mix. During his three-game stretch, Cecconi increased his use of secondary pitches, throwing his curve or slider 53% of the time, compared to only 30% in his previous MLB appearances. He also completely stopped using his changeup, a decision that seemed to pay off initially.
Return to the Majors
Cecconi continued to impress in the bullpen during his first MLB appearance as a reliever on July 29, pitching two innings with no baserunners and striking out three. Unfortunately, his success was short-lived; in his subsequent two relief outings, he allowed multiple runs and surrendered home runs, leading to yet another demotion to AAA-Reno.
Consistency Issues
Despite his earlier success as a reliever, Cecconi continued to struggle with command. Even during his best stretch in AAA, he maintained a concerning trend of pitching in the heart of the zone. He threw strikes 56.1% of the time, ranking among the top ten in the league. However, this precision came at a cost, as he often left pitches in the most hitter-friendly areas. His pitches thrown in the heart of the zone accounted for 30.3% of his total, a rate that placed him in the top 15% of qualified pitchers.
This lack of command, especially in critical locations, proved detrimental. Hitters capitalized on Cecconi’s mistakes, with 56.5% of their contact coming on pitches thrown in the heart of the zone, ranking him seventh among pitchers facing at least 250 batted-ball events.
The Road Ahead
As Slade Cecconi reflects on his season, it’s clear he has made strides in some areas, particularly in pitch usage. However, he will need to address his command and execution if he hopes to find sustained success in the majors. With the Diamondbacks engaged in a tight playoff race, it may be imperative for Cecconi to continue refining his skills at the AAA level for the remainder of the season. The adjustments he makes now could determine his future as a reliable pitcher in the Diamondbacks’ rotation.
