Brett Cecil

2013

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2012

Splat. Cecil followed up his 15-win season of a year ago with an ugly 4-11 record and saw his ERA jump to 4.73 despite similar ratios to his 15-win season. His WHIP (1.326) was nearly identical, but his control (3.1 BB/9IP) and home-run rate (1.6 HR/9IP) both slipped just enough to produce some volatile outings. He didn't pick up a victory after July, losing seven of his last 10 starts, despite solid numbers after the All-Star break (1.215 WHIP, 4.37 ERA in 13 starts). He was a bit unlucky in the second half, which bloated his overall numbers, but life in the AL East isn't going to get any easier. He'll be counted on again to make 25-28 starts for the Jays, and while he'll most certainly improve on last year's effort there's enough here to still see some growing pains.

2011

Cecil lost out in a battle for a rotation spot in spring training but was up with the Jays by the end of April and never looked back, notching 15 wins with a 4.22 ERA in 28 starts. He faded badly down the stretch (6.92 ERA, 1.962 WHIP despite a 4-0 record in five September starts) due to a knee injury and fatigue. Cecil went 10-3 against the beasts of the AL East (Tampa, New York and Boston) and posted a 1.84 ERA over 34 innings against the Yankees. If either trend reverses itself Cecil could be in store for a sharp decline. He'll be back as the team's third starter.

2010

Cecil bounced around between Triple-A Las Vegas and Toronto, making 17 starts for the Jays with a 5.30 ERA and a 1.650 WHIP. He's always relied more on command and control rather than pure stuff, though he did have an above average K/9IP rate (6.7) with the Jays so he'll have his share of struggles, especially in the AL East. The Jays are counting on him to hold down a spot in the middle of their rotation.

2009

Cecil has been advanced quickly, working his way up to make six starts at Triple-A Syracuse in just his second season. He went 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA and a nice 87:23 K:BB ratio in 77.2 innings at Double-A New Hampshire. It's hard to imagine he'd be ready for the majors with just 168 innings under his belt as a pro, but he'll likely have an outside chance to win a rotation spot this spring. He relies more on command than pure stuff so it will be interesting to see how he fares in a full season at Triple-A.

2008

Cecil had a nice pro debut after being a supplemental pick in the June draft and signing quickly. In 49.2 innings, Cecil allowed just 36 hits, one home run, 11 walks and fanned 56 hitters. He doesn't throw very hard, topping out around 90 mph, so there's some concern that he'll turn into another Josh Banks given Toronto's lack of success in developing recent pitchers with less-than-stellar stuff. His performance at Double-A will tell us a lot.