Slade Cecconi to Make MLB Debut Tonight

As reported on Monday, pitching prospect Slade Cecconi make his major league debut tonight against the San Francisco Giants. With Triple-A Reno he made 20 starts, going 4-8 with a 6.38 ERA. With Reno, the long ball was an issue as he coughed up 23 in 96 innings (2.0 HR/9).

Cecconi was drafted by the Diamondbacks 33rd overall by the Diamondbacks in the 2020 MLB Draft. At the time of his promotion, he ranks as the No. 7 prospect in the organization due to consistently posting solid strikeout and walk rates in combination of maybe the best raw stuff in the organization.

His repertoire consists of a four-seamer, sinker, curveball, slider, and a changeup. His main weapons are a mid-90s fastball, a big 12-6 curveball that sits in the low 70s, and a low 80s slider. The key will be for him to avoid throwing the fastball in hittable spots in the strike zone and command it enough that he can use the curve and slider to change speeds. While he possesses a changeup, it doesn't offer much utility and has been used increasingly less.

In order to make room for him, the D-backs placed right-handed reliever Austin Adams on the 60-day injured list with a fractured right ankle. Adams was struck by a 100.5 MPH comebacker off the bat of Joc Pederson and was helped off the field. After reaching the big leagues after a string of injuries, he pitched to a 5.71 ERA in 24 games.

Opposing Cecconi is Giants' ace Logan Webb. Webb has a 3.49 ERA, but an 8-9 record due to a lack of run support this season. The Giants average 3.0 runs of support per 27 outs he's on the mound. In two starts against Arizona, he pitched to a 2.57 ERA, right in line with his 2.63 career mark. With the D-backs offense struggling, it'll be a tough battle for them to get untracked.

Lineups

Herrera gets his second start behind the plate in this series and third in the last four days. That may also be due to him having experience catching Cecconi in Reno and trying to help ease him into the big leagues.

The D-backs will continue to need Gurriel to make an impact. His fifth inning solo home run last night was his first since July 7th.

Outfielder Tommy Pham will report with the team tomorrow. Arizona traded DSL shortstop Jeremy Rodriguez for Pham yesterday.