The Guardians are going to need more from Slade Cecconi in 2026

Seventeen months ago, The Cleveland Guardians acquired Slade Cecconi from the Arizona Diamondbacks as a part of the team’s return for Josh Naylor. 

While it was a trade that was poorly received by the fanbase, it was a necessary one since Naylor was less than a year away from reaching free agency. It’s also a trade that’s become a win since Arizona traded Naylor away again seven months later. 

But just because the trade’s become a win for the Guardians doesn’t mean it can’t become more of a win. And the quickest way to do that? By getting more from Cecconi, of course. 

Slade Cecconi holds the keys for success for the Guardians in 2026

And, just to be clear, Cecconi has been a solid pitcher for the Guardians during his stint with the team. In 27 starts (151 2/3 innings) with Cleveland, he’s recorded a 4.39 ERA. Most teams would kill to have that kind of production from its No. 4 starter. 

But, as Wednesday’s outing against the Cardinals showed, Cecconi isn’t without his flaws. With a fastball that sits at around 93 miles per hour and an arsenal that doesn’t generate a ton of swing and miss, Cecconi’s always going to pitch to contact. 

And there’s nothing wrong with that; there have been plenty of pitchers in MLB history who have had success pitching to contact. 

But that approach becomes more of a problem when Cecconi loses his command, which came in that start against St. Louis when he gave up a career-high five walks and needed 87 pitches to get through four largely ineffective innings. 

While he only surrendered three hits, his command struggles limited his outing and put more pressure on Cleveland’s already beleaguered bullpen. 

Last year Cecconi was able to go at least five innings in 18 of his 23 starts and had two separate starts where he went 8+ innings (one of which was a no-hit bid). He’s a bit of a throwback pitcher in that he’s not trying to blow pitches by people but instead pitching to contract in the hopes of being an inning eater. 

In the spring, Cecconi said that he felt he established a good foundation in 2025, and was now looking to refine everything that had been built. 

Those early returns on those refinements left a lot to be desired after he allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings in his season-opening start against the Mariners. 

He bounced back with six scoreless innings against the Cubs in his next start, but now has allowed eight baserunners in back-to-back starts (both losses).

While Cecconi's rough start hasn’t been a huge detriment to the Guardians so far this season, it’s hard to envision a scenario where they’re able to become true contenders without him being at his best.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow