When right-hander Slade Cecconi’s name comes up, it tends to elicit one of two reactions from people in the Diamondbacks organization: They are either unabashedly enthusiastic about the club’s new frontline pitching prospect — or they recognize his talent while trying to guard their optimism with caution.
Either way, there is no denying the splash Cecconi made during his time at the club’s alternate site in September and during instructional league over the past month. He displayed an overpowering fastball, swing-and-miss offspeed stuff and good command to go along with it. He is big and physical, works with a repeatable delivery and has the kind of confidence required to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.