Game(s) Logged Date: 2/23 v. Florida, 3/1 v. Towson, 3/8 v. Pittsburgh
Player: Slade Cecconi, 6-4, 219 lbs. R-R, Miami (FL), 2020 Draft Eligible Soph.
Game Lines:
| Game | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Batters Faced | # of Pitches |
| 2/23 v. Florida | 5.0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 21 | 95 |
| 3/1 v. Towson | 4.1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 88 |
| 3/8 v. Pittsburgh | 6.0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 28 | 106 |
Overall Thoughts on Performance:
Two things that were fairly consistent in these three starts were an abundance of strikeouts, as well as an abundance of pitches thrown to get those strikeouts. Miami calls a lot of low outside spots for its starters, which put a lot of pressure on Cecconi’s fastball command to stay ahead of hitters with pitcher’s pitches. As a result, there were quite a few 2-0 and 3-0 counts that Cecconi had to battle back into, which explains the 4.25 pitches per batter—the MLB average is a shade above 3.9— Cecconi averaged over this three start sample. In terms of contact quality, Cecconi did allow 2 HRs vs. Florida, but avoided hard contact for the most part. Additionally, it was encouraging to see him start to get more aggressive with his fastball vs. Towson and Pittsburgh. Against the Gators, Cecconi only got two whiffs on 57 fastballs thrown—a 3.5% swinging strike rate. Against the Tigers and Panthers, Cecconi posted a markedly more robust 13.4% and 14.8% swinging strike rates with his heater, respectively.
Pitch Mix: Fastball 70%, Slider 20%, Changeup 8%, Curveball 2%
Pitch One: Fastball
Velo: G1: 91-96, T97
G2: 91-95, T96
Movement: Mostly pounds four seams and, as you can tell by his pitch mix, a lot of ‘em. Most prominent feature is consistent armside run, which Miami relies on with their low fastball, painting the corners game calling approach. Demonstrated good carry when he tried to get batters to chase up in two strike counts, but as a whole the fastball’s bat missing ability was reflective of how inconsistent the pitch profile is.
In my first look, the fastball was around 94 with life, but wasn’t getting chased and heavily relied on low corner command—which meant when he wasn’t locating well, he got into bad counts and had to sacrifice whiffs to get back into those at bats. In later looks, the velocity backslid to 93, but was thrown up with more confidence in early counts—which got him a good amount of swing and miss. Command of the fastball projects to be solidly average, possibly flirting with 55 hinging on an approach change in pro ball where he’s not asked to paint so often.
However, while aspects of Cecconi’s fastball have flashed plus, none of it has materialized in any extended stretch. Factor in gradual velocity decline throughout his 2020 starts, and there’s enough concern to hold off on a plus projection for now.
Pitch Grade: 50 PV / 55 FV
Pitch Two: Slider
Velo: 82-88
Movement: A powerful swing and miss secondary, this is ol’ reliable—the pitch that Slade Cecconi will go to if he needs an out. Best commanded to his gloveside, it features strong bite and good vertical break for how hard it’s thrown. Can get whiffs from right handed hitters chasing it away and left handed hitters swinging over the top of a ball that started belt high and landed at their shoe tops. In later looks it has come in a bit more flat at times, as Cecconi can lose the release point on it occasionally. But there’s usually a couple of 65s flashed in every start, which helps give the slider a vote of confidence at settling in as a plus pitch.
Pitch Grade: 55 PV / 60 FV
Pitch Three: Changeup
Velo: 80-86
Movement: Showed good feel often in first look, could get firm when he tried backdooring it to right handed hitters. Pitch has good fade when it’s on, and there’s swing and miss potential as a pro due to its consistent depth. In second look he went to it just once, third look he was using it pretty early on vs. lefties. Movement was there, but like in the first look, Cecconi’s still getting accustomed to its liveliness. The command of the pitch is spotty, since he’s either leaving it middle-low or running it a good bit off the dish. However given the feel relative to its usage and Cecconi’s starter traits, the pitch projects to improve towards average command at maturity.
Pitch Grade: 45 PV / 55 FV
Pitch Four: Curveball
Velo: 79-82
Movement: Only threw this a few times in first look, really bad hanger was crushed pull side for a home run in the 2nd. Didn’t go to it at all in my second look, third look he had a couple of nice freezers and even an ugly swing and miss with two strikes. Nevertheless, he had trouble getting over the top of it on release in game 1, and when it flashed in game 3 it was only flashing average. If not scrapped outright, will almost certainly be used as a change of pace pitch that’s featured 1-3 times a game.
Pitch Grade: 40 PV / 45 FV
Mechanics: Relaxed delivery with body control, with explosive arm speed and good upper body rotation. Long arm action with a 3Q armslot, repeatable mechanics utilize all parts of the body. Head and eyes stay on target throughout delivery. Big and lean, there’s still some physical projection left for this athletic right hander, with gains targeted towards building up stamina and improving velocity retention throughout starts. Only noticeable quirk is his curve release point being noticeably higher, but considering the change-of-pace role that pitch plays in his overall repertoire, I’m not that concerned.
Command Grade: 40 PV / 50 FV
Overview: As a starting pitching prospect, Slade Cecconi has a lot of attributes working in his favor. His delivery is smooth, with the athleticism and body control to ensure growth into average command as a pro. His slider is a swing and miss secondary, and his changeup has the feel and movement to be a weapon against left handed hitters. However, there are concerns about how well his fastball will work--specifically how consistent the heat is--as he moves up the developmental ladder. While it’s often been called low and is used to paint corners at Miami, the action on it above the belt looks the part but gets only an average amount of whiffs. The success of approach and development changes to put it all together on Cecconi’s four seamer will be essential if a mid-rotation ceiling is to be reached.
Overall: 45 FV, Mid to Late 1st Round Level Talent
Future Role: Higher variance #4 starter with a three-pitch mix that keeps him in the rotation, with occasional flashes of brilliance on the strength of his slider and changeup.