6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR, 3 HBP
That is the final pitching line for former Terp and current Toronto Blue Jay Brett Cecil who made his major league debut Tuesday, May 5 in a 10-6 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Cecil earned a no-decision when reliever Jesse Carlson blew the lead before the Jays stormed back for seven runs in the seventh inning to win the game.
Cecil’s six strikeouts tied Dustin McGowan for the most strikeouts by a pitcher in their big-league debut for the club, McGowan did it back in 2005. He probably shouldn’t get too comfortable though. Cecil, who was 0-3 with a 8.31 ERA with Triple-A Las Vegas before the call-up, will most likely not be staying long.
He earned the call-up when fellow young star Ricky Romero went on the DL and either he or Robert Ray will be sent down when Romero returns according to CBSSports.com.
Cecil’s rise through the Blue Jays system has been meteoric to put it mildly. Drafted by the Blue Jays with the 38th pick in the 2007 MLB Draft, Cecil spent just over a full season in the minors rising from Single-A to Triple-A before the call-up this week.
According to Terrapin baseball coach Terry Rupp, Cecil has the makings of a special starter for the Jays thanks to the development of another “plus” pitch. Cecil was the closer in both seasons he played with the Terps.
“The Blue Jays had always planned to use him as a starter because he has the ability to throw four different pitches and has really developed his arm strength,” Rupp said a few weeks ago when he thought Cecil was making his major league debut. “It’s not often you see someone rise through the minor leagues that quickly, but Brett deserves it.”
Cecil is one of eleven Terp alumni that is playing professional baseball including Nationals’ farmhands Justin Maxwell and Steve Schmoll as well as former major league pitcher Eric Milton.
However, Cecil is the only former Terp that is playing in “The Show” and is leagues above his fellow alumni in talent and upside. The Terps haven’t produced a legitimate “top” prospect since Milton, and Cecil is probably Rupp’s crown jewel as well.
“I am extremely proud and I think the rest of the university and student body should be as well,” Rupp said. “It’s not everyday that an alumni of this program rises through the minors so quickly and it is awesome to see him getting his chance. I have no doubt he will be a special player for them in the future.”
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Wasn’t Maxwell a second or third round pick? Id say thats a top prospect
Maxwell was drafted in the fourth round in 2005 and while he may have been a top prospect when he was drafted, he has been hampered by injuries and can’t seem to stay healthy.
Granted Maxwell is currently on the Nationals roster because of injuries and has hits in three of his eight at-bats thus far. The hype surrounding him has died down significantly and while I could be wrong, he looks like a fourth outfielder right now.
The reason I said top prospect was because Cecil was ranked one of Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects this past season and the consensus seems to be that he has the chance to be a real star for the Blue Jays.
That said, I do see where you are coming from.
[...] one of my most recent posts about Cecil I said that Terp fans shouldn’t expect to see the left-hander the majors for very [...]