Slade Cecconi faced a rough outing last week against the Angels, surrendering seven runs on ten hits in just three innings. “That was the worst one of my career,” Cecconi admitted, reflecting on the disappointing performance.
However, D-backs pitching coach Brent Strom identified a mechanical issue that he believed could be corrected. With this guidance, Cecconi made the necessary adjustments and turned in a remarkable performance five days later. In a game against the Nationals at Nationals Park, he delivered six scoreless innings, helping the D-backs secure a 5-0 victory.
Following his poor outing against the Angels, which inflated his ERA to 6.70, Cecconi relied heavily on the support system within the D-backs’ clubhouse. “I had a lot of people in my corner this week,” he said. “They believed in me and helped me with my thoughts.”
Strom was quick to offer advice immediately after Cecconi’s last game. The next day, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo called Cecconi into his office for an encouraging chat. Lovullo’s ability to connect with players is one of his greatest strengths, and he knew Cecconi needed both motivation and guidance.
“I’m better than that, and I’m going to be better than that,” Cecconi recalled Lovullo saying. “Focus this week on what I need to focus on.” Assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson also shared insights, while veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart took the time to mentor the rookie.
“Tucker literally sat down with me and went through a lot about pitching, executing pitches, and shared thoughts that helped me direct my focus,” Cecconi explained. “Encouragement from a manager, a pitching coach, or a veteran catcher always boosts your confidence.”
Cecconi pinpointed the mechanical issue that plagued him: he was not directing his body towards home plate. Instead, he was spinning off, resulting in a significant lack of command. To correct this, he adjusted the placement of his right foot on the pitching rubber. The results were evident during Tuesday’s game, where he demonstrated improved pitch location.
“We corrected it early in the week,” Cecconi noted. “That allowed me to focus on executing pitches without thinking about mechanics during the game.” The Nationals didn’t record a hit against him until the fourth inning and only advanced one runner as far as second base before Lovullo decided to pull him after six innings and 70 pitches on a sweltering night.
“He was outstanding tonight,” said Nationals left fielder Jesse Winker. “He was commanding both sides of the plate, up and down. He’s very talented and had a great night.”
With this victory, the D-backs improved to 36-37, just one game shy of the .500 mark, and they now find themselves in the third National League Wild Card spot. This achievement is particularly impressive for a team that has contended with numerous key injuries and has yet to hit its stride. “I’m proud of that,” Lovullo stated, “but we have a long way to go and a lot better baseball to play.”
Notably, this win marked the tenth consecutive game in which the D-backs played that was decided by five or more runs—the longest streak in the Modern Era (since 1900), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. During this stretch, the D-backs have compiled a 6-4 record.
Cecconi’s bounce-back performance showcases the importance of both mechanical adjustments and strong clubhouse support. As the D-backs continue their pursuit of a playoff spot, the contributions from Cecconi will be critical to their success.
