D-backs To Promote Slade Cecconi, Will Start Wednesday

When the Diamondbacks announced their rotation for the Giants series, Wednesday's starter was originally listed as TBA after left-hander Tommy Henry was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. Less than 24 hours later, we have an answer for who might fill that rotation spot. Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro reports that the D-backs will promote right-hander Slade Cecconi to fill the open rotation spot.

With Tommy Henry on the IL, the Dbacks will turn to Slade Cecconi to replace him the rotation. The 24-year old Cecconi is 4-8 with a 6.38 ERA in Reno this season.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 31, 2023

Cecconi, 24, was drafted 33rd overall in the 2020 MLB Draft out of the University of Miami. After struggling with health and conditioning throughout high school, college, and his first full year in the organization, he's been healthy the past two seasons. Since the start of the 2022 season, he has made 45 starts between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. He is currently ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the organization due to a solid pitch mix of a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, and a curveball. The fastball, slider, and curve all rank as average or better pitches.

He took a big step forward in 2022, as he managed a 4.37 ERA with a 22.4% strikeout rate and a 5.7% walk rate in 26 games (25 starts). In Reno, the home runs have spiked from 1.5 to 2.0 per nine innings, but his strikeout and walk rates have stayed roughly the same. The increase in his home run rate has caused his ERA to balloon up to 6.38 in 20 starts this season. Pitching in the high elevation parks of Reno and Amarillo, the organization wants to see if a pitcher is still willing to attack hitters after giving up home runs. That's something Cecconi exhibited well the past two seasons, as he maintained just a 6% walk rate between the two levels despite his home ballpark being a launching pad.

The D-backs will need to make room on both their active and 40-man roster by Wednesday. The 40-man roster became full when they activated right-handed reliever Cole Sulser from the 60-day injured list yesterday.