CLEVELAND, Ohio — Right-hander Slade Cecconi has demonstrated significant growth since moving into the Guardians rotation to replace injured starter Ben Lively in mid-May, according to Guardians manager Stephen Vogt.
During his pregame remarks Friday, Vogt said since acquiring Cecconi from Arizona in an offseason trade for Josh Naylor and an injury that caused him to miss part of spring training, the club is “still getting to know Slade every time out.”
What stands out about Cecconi to Vogt is his ability to “pitch whether he has his best stuff, or not so good” and consistently “find a way to get outs.” Vogt also emphasized Cecconi’s work ethic, describing him as a “tireless worker” with “great routines,” which gives the team confidence whenever he takes the mound.
Cecconi entered Friday’s start with a 1.13 ERA in the first two innings of his eight previous outings, the second-best mark in the American League. However, from the third inning on, Cecconi had a 5.19 ERA.
Opposing lineups are hitting .154 against Cecconi the first time through the order, but that number more than doubles the second time through (.318) and jumps to .323 the third time through. Six of Cecconi’s nine home runs allowed have come when facing a batter for the second time.
Get Steven Kwan to Atlanta
Vogt was asked whether or not he expects to hear Steven Kwan’s name announced when All-Star reserves are revealed on Sunday night. His endorsement was emphatic.
“Stephen Kwan, 100%, should be an All-Star,” Vogt said.
Kwan’s value to the Guardians is impossible to quantify, Vogt added, citing his “consistent defense, consistent at bats,” clubhouse presence, and the “spark that he gives our lineup” every time he comes to the plate.
Kwan recorded his 28th multi-hit effort of the year Thursday against the Cubs, the third-most among AL outfielders, trailing only Detroit’s Riley Greene (30) and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (35). Kwan is also the first Guardians outfielder with at least 28 multi-hit games through the team’s first 85 contests since Grady Sizemore (31) in 2006.
Catch a Tiger on the bases
Vogt talked about Detroit’s aggressive base running style, noting the Tigers “run the bases well” and “push the envelope” by making opposing teams execute plays.
Detroit ranks dead last in the majors in stolen bases with just 30, but is fifth in runs scored at 448. The Guardians, meanwhile, have more than double the Tigers’ total in steals with 65, yet only 310 runs scored, ranking 26th in the big leagues.
Vogt acknowledged the Tigers “don’t steal bases very often,” but said they frequently “take the extra base,” which forces his team to “take care of the baseball.” He credited the Tigers for identifying their style, utilizing their “good team speed,” and playing “really good fundamental baseball.”
Hot dog gone
In light of Joey Chestnut’s 17th win in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest earlier in the day, Vogt was asked how many hot dogs he thought he could consume in 10 minutes.
“I maybe could get to 10 if I really got after it,” Vogt said. “Maybe.”
Chestnut downed 70 1/2 dogs to win the mustard yellow belt in front of a crowd of thousands at Coney Island. Vogt later conceded that his estimate of 10 “might be over zealous.”
Generative AI was used to organize information for this story.
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