Daniel
Cercello

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 49 in the state but is set to rise in the next update. Ultra-projectable, 6-foot-7, 180-pound frame, wiry with upside and a high waist. Didn’t have his best stuff in this look but still showed why he is one of the top uncommitted arms left in the 2024 class. He worked his fastball in the 88-91 mph range, topping out at 92 mph and flashed a developing breaking ball at 75 mph with 11/5 shape. He shows an ease in his delivery with little perceived effort, though he was struggling to get his lower-half through at times in this look. Cercello has already made tremendous strides since last spring and his upside is off the charts. Look for continued gains as the tall right-hander continues to develop into his body. 

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 49 in the state but is set to see a significant rise in the rankings thanks to his recent strides. Listed at an eye-opening 6-foot-7, 180-pounds, he has all sorts of room to add on additional strength to his long-limbed frame. Cercello was incredibly impressive over his three innings of work, allowing just one hit, no runs and striking out seven - staying in and around the zone throughout despite walking four. The big right-hander toed the mound in sub-50 degree temperatures and was ultra-impressive throughout our brief look - sitting right at 92-93 mph early on and settling in around 88-91 mph. He flashed a changeup at 86 mph, thrown with improved arm-speed and late fade to the arm-side. His breaking ball is still developing for the time being, getting on the side of it and spinning off at times, 83 mph with gradual 10/4 shape. Cercello showed an improved ability to repeat his delivery, working with minimal perceived effort to create his explosive fastball, and he certainly appears to have much more in the tank.

RHP Daniel Cercello (Neuqua Valley, 2024) let it be known that he was the best pitching prospect in attendance at Monday’s Lockport Preseason ID. Cercello is the poster child of a pitcher’s frame, standing 6-foot-7, 180-pounds with long limbs that use little effort to sync up and work down the hill with a free and easy arm. His fastball jumped through the zone at 91-92 mph, touching 93 mph, while exhibiting above average control at the same time. Both his curveball and changeup also showed control, with the ability to drop both for strikes in order to keep hitters off his fastball. Neither may be a present out pitch, but both showed above average stuff to allow his low 90’s fastball to play even better. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-7, 180-pounds. Long, lanky frame, fill coming.
Delivery: Medium leg lift, drop and drive delivery in-line, closed toe at footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T93, 91-92 mph. Live fastball thrown with ease, jumped through the zone at times.  T2258, 2210 average rpm.
CB: 75-76 mph. Showed control, ability to drop for strikes, slurve type action. T2014, 1922 average rpm.
CH: 83-84 mph. Fade action to arm side, showed above average feel. T1929, 1804 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-5, 175-pounds. Long, lanky build. Projectable.
Delivery: Fluid tempo, works with a drop and drive lower half before striding in line with the plate. Flexible lower half, front foot lands closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw out of the glove. Loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T86.4, 84.2-86.2 mph. Heavy sinking action to the arm side. T2160, 2097 average rpm.
CB: 70.7-72.6 mph. Slight deceleration, slurve type break. T1957, 1761 average rpm.
CH: 74.5-77.6 mph. Slight deceleration of arm. Flashed sinking action. T1730, 1683 average rpm.