Slade Cecconi Turns In Another Quality Start for Reno

The Diamondbacks' top pitching prospect continues to improve in the tough pitching environment of the Pacific Coast League.

Feb 21, 2024; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi (43) poses for a picture for MLB media day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports / Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Slade Cecconi had the best prospect performance in the Diamondbacks system Tuesday. The organization's No. 4 prospect fired six strong innings for Triple-A Reno, holding the Salt Lake Bees to one run on five hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. Cecconi threw 89 pitches.

His fastball was in the 91-98 MPH range, maintaining mid-90s velocity throughout his start. His slider averaged 84.8 MPH, with 20 of the 26 sliders thrown at 84.0 MPH or harder. That's an important velocity metric for Cecconi's best secondary pitch, as he revealed in an interview a couple weeks ago. He threw only six curveballs and five changeups, relying on the bread-and-butter fastball/slider combination.

Triple-A: Reno Aces 5, Salt Lake Bees 1

Adrian Del Castillo went 2-for-5 with a double out of the leadoff spot, with his two hits registering exit velocities of 99.9 and 107.7 MPH. His 9th inning single came against left-hander Adam Kolarek, a lefty with a dropdown arm angle. Andrew Saalfrank allowed two singles in a scoreless 8th inning. Nothing, in particular, was hit hard against him, with both base hits coming on soft line drives.

Double-A: Amarillo Sod Poodles 13, Springfield Cardinals 9

Deyvison De Los Santos had a monster night at the plate, collecting two hits, a home run, and three RBI. His 2nd inning home run was a towering blast that cleared the scoreboard in left field and almost landed in the parking lot. His 1st inning triple also drove in a run, setting the stage for the type of night he was going to have. The 20-year-old is off to a hot start, hitting .366 with three home runs and a 1.092 OPS in his first 10 games.

De Los Santos makes it 8-2 with a NO DOUBTER! pic.twitter.com/eFmSgBNGi8

— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) April 17, 2024

A.J. Vukovich also had a big night at the plate, with two hits, two walks, and four RBI. His first inning home run drove in three, a fly ball that cleared the short wall in right field. Vukovich is hitting .353 with three home runs and a 1.042 OPS to begin the season.

Ivan Melendez went 1-for-3 at the plate, but was curiously pinch hit for in the 6th inning. Wilderd Patiño had a strong day from the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, and three runs scored.

Catcher/outfielder Caleb Roberts was placed on the 7-day injured list.

High-A: Hillsboro Hops 8, Tri-City Dust Devils 1

Jack Hurley had a strong return to the lineup, collecting a pair of extra base hits, driving in four, and even stole home. Hurley had missed the last six games with a right leg injury that did not require a stint on the injured list.

This game (much like that baseball probably) just got busted WIDE OPEN 😤#AllHoppedUp pic.twitter.com/Ds3uEr2fBW

— Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops) April 17, 2024

Tommy Troy went 0-for-4, but walked and scored in the 6th on the triple shown above. Christian Cerda was 0-for-3 but walked twice and scored.

Low-A: Visalia Rawhide 5, Lake Elsinore Storm 11

Druw Jones struck out in all five plate appearances. The D-backs No. 2 prospect has struggled mightily out of the gate, hitting .129 (4-for-31) with 21 strikeouts in 35 plate appearances. Coming off an injury-plagued 2023 season, this is not a good sign early in the year for the former No. 2 overall pick.

Jansel Luis had two hits, including a double, and a walk and scored two runs out of the leadoff spot to raise his season average to .176. The double was his first extra base hit of the season. Cristofer Torin singled, walked three times, and scored a run. Torin has 10 walks compared to just five strikeouts in his first 38 plate appearances on the season.