Pirates A to Z: Blake Cederlind's rise to the majors delayed by Tommy John surgery

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure.

Player: Blake Cederlind

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Bats: Right

Age: 25

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 220 pounds

2021 MLB statistics: Did not play.

Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration.

Acquired: Selected by Pirates in fifth round of 2016 MLB Draft.

This past season: Armed with a sinker that touched 100 mph, Cederlind entered spring training as a candidate to become the Pirates’ future closer. It was a role he desperately wanted.

“Absolutely, yeah,” Cederlind said this past March. “That’s the dream.”

Cederlind spent the offseason working to add vertical and horizontal break to his two pitches, the sinker and a cutter. He promised to show more of a slider in 2021 “so it should be easier to put guys away.” Where most relievers who threw those pitches were ground ball specialists, Cederlind was more of a strikeout artist.

“I want to get the ball on the ground and get it into my fielder’s hands or put guys away,” Cederlind said. “I think I’ve got pretty good weapons for that. You might see the four-seamer a little bit more this year from me. I’m going to working that, as well. Those weapons can get me out of any situation.”

After shining at Double-A Altoona in 2019, Cederlind had wowed Pirates coaches the previous spring training by striking out nine batters in 4 2/3 scoreless innings. He made his major league debut in September 2020, striking out four of the 16 batters he faced while allowing two runs on three hits and one walk in five appearances.

Blake Cederlind, Overpowering 99mph Fastball...and ???? K strut. pic.twitter.com/6q2BTFdUG3

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 20, 2020

This time, he was trying to earn a spot in the bullpen and make the Opening Day roster.

“I’m not so much worried about a role right now,” Cederlind said. “I’m just competing for a job. I’ve got both my pitches honed in for this year, just gonna put them to the test and leave the decisions up to the decision makers.”

That decision was taken out of his hands, after Cederlind suffered an ulnar collateral ligament strain in his throwing elbow against the New York Yankees in a Grapefruit League game. With his UCL nearly detached, he gave up one run on one hit, two walks and a hit batter.

Tests revealed that the injury required Tommy John surgery, which sidelined Cederlind from pitching for the season. The Pirates placed him on the 60-day injured list March 12.

“Obviously, anyone who saw the Yankee game, the first two or three hitters, his stuff was electric,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “The ball was coming out at 97, 98 (mph). The two sliders right off the bat were really good. So definitely in the competition. It’s an unfortunate situation for him and for us.”

The future: Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who fixed Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow, performed the Tommy John surgery on Cederlind.

Blake Cederlind is back to throwing on flat ground it seems. pic.twitter.com/L2gfQPTmbk

— The Murphanko Experience (@Murphanko) August 17, 2021

Cederlind has made solid strides in his recovery, and was throwing off the mound by mid-September. He won’t be ready until late next spring, at the earliest, delaying his chances of making the majors in 2022.