Slade Cecconi Outstanding In First Start With Reno

The Diamondbacks No. 4 prospect threw five no-hit innings in his first start with Triple-A Reno.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi (43) during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

The Reno Aces began their season last night, with right-hander Slade Cecconi taking the mound. The Diamondbacks No. 4 prospect looked impressive with five no-hit innings and picked up his first win of the year. His 4-seam fastball was especially strong, generating nine whiffs on 22 swings, and averaged 94.9 MPH. His breaking balls also saw a sharp increase in velocity, with both his curveball and slider up three ticks from last year. In those five innings, he threw 68 pitches. Seeing Cecconi off to a good start is important as the D-backs try to consolidate their starting pitching depth for the season.

Thru 2 innings, Cecconi has 3 whiffs on his 4-seamer. Velo up to 94-97 MPH. https://t.co/ll0hiTJgm2

— Michael McDermott (@MichaelMcDMLB) March 30, 2024

Randal Grichuk has begun his rehab in Reno, starting in center field in his first game back. Grichuk got three at-bats and played five innings in the field, grounding into two double plays and singling on a soft line drive to center. He scored from first on Kyle Garlick's RBI double off the left center wall in the third, a good sign as he continues to progress from offseason ankle surgery. Grichuk is first eligible to return on April 4th.

Justin Martinez was excellent as well in his season debut, picking up his first save of the year with Reno. The flamethrowing right-hander only needed 12 pitches to strike out the side, two of them needing just three pitches, having a very good feel for his slider. Martinez induced whiffs on all four swings and landed five called strikes on the night. If he continues to perform at this level, an opportunity in the D-backs bullpen will be coming sooner rather than later.

José Herrera had two hits, including a 9th inning home run that put Reno up by 2. The ball wasn't necessarily hit crisply, with an exit velocity of just 93 MPH, but got carried on out in a wind tunnel to right field. Pavin Smith had two walks and an RBI single in the 1st, picking up right where he left off in the spring.