Slade

Cecconi

Cecconi is a former highly-ranked prospect, and he struggled in his first full-season taste of MLB action with a 6.66 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 20 appearances — 13 starts — and 77 innings.The 25-year-old could compete for a spot in the Guardians’ rotation, but also could be used as a multi-inning reliever with Cleveland. This is very much a wait-and-see player in terms of fantasy.

Cecconi was sent down to Triple-A after posting a ghastly 6.14 ERA in his 73 1/3 innings with Arizona on August 9. The 25-year-old will add some multi-inning help while he’s with Arizona in this stint.

Cecconi, 25, has made 17 appearances (13 starts) for the D’Backs this season, registering a 6.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 61/15 K/BB ratio over 73 1/3 innings of work. He’ll return to Triple-A to stay stretched out as a starter in case the Diamondbacks suffer another rash of injuries in their rotation. Scott McGough was recalled in a corresponding move on Friday.

Cecconi was sent down July 10 after going 2-6 with a 6.14 ERA in 13 starts and one relief appearance. He was pitching out of the pen at Reno, so it doesn’t look like he’ll get Yilber Díaz’s rotation spot. Instead, he’ll probably work in middle relief.

Cecconi heads back to the minors after allowing three runs over four innings on Wednesday against the Braves in his final start prior to the All-Star break. Arizona isn’t going to need a fifth starter again until the end of the month, so he’ll head back to the minors for now. The 25-year-old righty holds an inflated 6.14 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 53/14 K/BB ratio across 66 innings (14 appearances, 13 starts) this season in the big leagues. It’s entirely possible that rookie Yilber Diaz will stick in the majors over Cecconi moving forward, but that decision likely won’t be made for a couple weeks.

Cecconi got the start in this one. After a scoreless first inning, Travis d’Arnaud drove in two runs with a double in the second. A walk, single, and sacrifice fly would drive in a third run in the third inning. Cecconi tossed one more scoreless inning before his day was done at 62 pitches. The 25-year-old right-hander has posted a 6.14 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 53/14 K/BB ratio across 66 innings.

Cecconi was fortunate to escape without a loss, as the Diamondbacks were able to go to work on the San Diego bullpen — particularly Robert Suarez — to keep him from the decision. It’s still another bad outing for the 25-year-old, and he’s now the owner of a 6.10 ERA. If he stays in the rotation, his final start of the 2024 first half comes against Atlanta next week. Absolutely not.

Cecconi was able to strike out seven, but it’s another mediocre outing in a year where the 25-year-old has had plenty of them. The 25-year-old allowed two runs in the third and another in the fourth before being pulled, and Cecconi’s ERA is now at 5.81 for the season. He absolutely should not be considered as a streaming option for Thursday’s scheduled bout against the Dodgers.

Since the Diamondbacks didn’t use their key relievers Saturday and have tomorrow off, they were aggressive in going to the pen today. Cecconi allowed five hits in three innings, so it’s not like he was having an easy time out there anyway. He wound up with the loss, leaving him 2-6 with a 5.74 ERA.

Cecconi was locked in on Tuesday night as the righty turned in his best start of the year against a hapless Nationals lineup. Cecconi struck out six batters on the evening and didn’t walk a batter, with two of his three hits allowed coming from C.J. Abrams. Entering the day with a 5.90 ERA, Cecconi has had his share of solid outings mixed with some forgettable ones. He’s allowed three earned runs or less in three of his last four starts and will look to follow this start with another strong performance on Sunday against the Phillies.