Brett Cecil
From BR Bullpen
Brett Aarion Cecil
- Bats Right, Throws Left
- Height 6' 3", Weight 220 lb.
- School University of Maryland
- Debut May 5, 2009
- Born July 2, 1986 in Dunkirk, MD, USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Brett Cecil was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays as the 38th overall selection in the 2007 amateur draft. Quickly rising through the ranks in 2008, he started in Dunedin (A), then was promoted to New Hampshire (AA). His experience making several starts in New Hampshire allowed him to move up to Syracuse (AAA). In total, he was the starting pitcher in 28 games and his ERA was 2.88.
Cecil was in contention for the fifth spot in Toronto's rotation in 2009, but as Spring Training started, the team brass felt he needed more time to develop his skills. Before returning to the minors, he was 1-0 in four appearances in Grapefruit League ball, with an ERA of 3.09.
He started the 2009 season with the Jays' new AAA afiliate Las Vegas, but had a rough go of it, going 0-3 with an 8.31 ERA over four starts. His luck soon changed as he was called up to the Majors on May 3 when the Jays sent down three pitchers and brought up three more, including fellow starter Robert Ray, who was also getting his first taste of "The Show". Cecil started on May 5 game against the Orioles, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings with no walks. He did, however, also hit three batters. Toronto would go on to win the game, 10-6. He went 7-4 in spite of a high 5.30 ERA in 18 games in his rookie season, then took a big step formward in 2010. He established himself as the Jays' second starter behind Ricky Romero, puitting together a record of 15-7, 4.22 in 28 starts, striking out 117 in 172.2 innings. However, just as he seemed about to enter the elite of American League starting pitchers, he struggled mightily early int he 2011 season. He was 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA over his first four starts, giving up 24 hits and 11 walks in 21 innings. Rather than let him work out his problems in the big leagues, the Jays sent him down to AA Las Vegas, wheer he continued to struggle at first, but then righted things and went 8-2 in 12 starts, with a 5.26 ERA, albeit in a very hitter-friendly environment. He was then called back to Toronto in late June, and was again bombed in his first start, giving up 6 runs in 6.1 innings, before picking up the pace in July. he threw his first career complete game in a losing cause against the Boston Red Sox on July 5th, then won his next two starts and on July 24th pitched the best game of his career so far, earning his first career shutout in beating the Texas Rangers in Arlington, 3-0.
[edit] Sources
article about Cecil's move to the Bigs and other articles on bluejays.com
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2010)
