Jose Ceda
6′5
230lbs
R/R
1/28/1987

Once in blue moon minor deadline deals involving role players for low level high ceiling prospects pan out. Right now the midseason 2006 season deal with the Padres, exchanging Todd Walker for a 19 year old rookie flamethrower Jose Ceda, is looking like a steal. The Padres got a half season of Walker, while Ceda has excelled through the Cubs’ organization. A Cubs’ scout had spotted Ceda as a potential low buy back in 2005 during the Padres’ Instructional League; he loved Ceda’s velocity and size. The Padres were willing deal Jose because they felt he was a player tabbed with huge potential but poor work ethic and was suited for the bullpen. For a more in-depth Scouting Report on Ceda read on….

In case you missed it, Cubshub’s last Scouting Report was on Sam Fuld.

The Padres’ found Ceda down in the Dominican Republic where he was a non-drafted free agent and signed a cheap bonus contract in November of 2004. Jose didn’t throw professionally until the Dominican Summer League started up in 2005 where he threw for the Padres’ team. In 13 appearances, 9 being starts, Ceda went 4-2 going 60 IP giving up 38 hits, 10 ER, 29 BB, 83 strikeouts, 1.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .174 BAA. The 18 year old Ceda basically dominated the heavy teen league with his high octane fastball which registered 99 mph on several occasions along with showing flashes of a hard biting slider.

In 2006, the Padres started Ceda off in the Arizona Rookie League where he split time between a starter and a long reliever, as the club was full of potential starters. In 8 games, 4 as a starter, Ceda went 23 IP giving up 20 H, 13 ER, 13 BB, 31 K, 5.09 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, .235 BAA. That’s when the Cubs’ were able to pry the high ceiling Ceda in exchange for the Type A free agent Todd Walker, who ended up garnering no supplementals because they nontendered Walker. Ceda reported to the Cubs at 280lbs, which even at 6′5 is obese. Upon joining to Cubs Arizona Rookie League, he did a complete 180, in 5 games, 3 as a starter, he went 12 IP giving up 5 H, 1 ER, 7 BB, 21 K, 0.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .139 BAA. Soon he was promoted to Boise (Short A) during late season callups. In 3 games/started, Jose went 1-0 in 11 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 11 K, 3.27 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, .152 BAA.

In 2007, Ceda reported to camp 30 lbs lighter due to dietary advise and increased workout regime. The Cubs started Ceda off in the warm Arizona climate for a 2 games/1 start before promoting him to Peoria (Low A). He started off as a starter, in 6 starts, he went 23 IP giving up 14 H, 12 ER, 15 BB, 24 K, 4.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .171 BAA. Jose suffered some shoulder stiffness and fatigue that cost him nearly two months. When Ceda came back, the Cubs took precautions with the young flamethrower and regulated him to solely bullpen action once there he was literally untouchable. In 15 appearances, he went 23 1/3 IP, 0 H, 4 ER, 16 BB, 42 K, 1.54 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, .000 BAA.

Jose went on to play in the Dominican League for the Escogido Leones in Winter league. In 7 games of relief, he went 7 IP, giving up 5 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 11 K, 7.71 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, .185 BAA. Most of that damage came in one game (1 2/3 IP) where he gave up 4 H, 3 ER and 1 BB elsewise Ceda showed off all his skills as he did in the regular season. Outside of his bad outing, Ceda’s fastball still had kick and life to it while his slider was still spotty.

Pitching: On the mound, Ceda is a physically imposing threat. At 6′5 and somewhere around 250lbs, he’s got a large frame, add in that he can hit close to 100 mph at his own desire with erratic control and hitters should be scared of him. Ceda’s fastball usually sits around 94-97 mph but it’s basically straight as an arrow, when he rears back Jose can reach 99 mph without much effort. His slider hits between 83-87 mph with exceptional bite when it is on. On a scouting scale, 20-80, both pitches look to be a 70 with a little bite of further refinement. There is no question that the Cubs plan to keep Ceda as a reliever for his minor league career, he’s got a take no prisoner approach to the game.

Durability: In 2007, Jose suffered from overthrowing, aided by his 06 season where he threw more than he’s used to and the results showed early. With some rest and relaxation in much of May, all of June, and parts of July, Ceda returned to the Peoria, but as a force in the pen. In 15 relief appearances, Ceda went 23 1/3 IP didn’t allow a single hit, no one came close to touching his fastball/slider mix. Ceda needs more work in controlling his pitches which will limit his walks, additionally it will help him trust his stuff over the plate. If the club had still planned to use him as a starter there might be something to worry about down the road due to his heavy arm action. As a reliever Ceda’s arm has nothing to worry about, he’s built for short powerful bursts.

MLB Comparison: Lee Smith/Jose Mesa
Ceda has much in common with both pitchers, as all three were larger frame power pitchers in their prime. In addition to all three having similar sizes, their arsenal and game styles are mirrored after each other. A high octane fastball with little movement was something anyone in this group could call a staple of their career. To supplement the straight fastball, all three have a nasty late breaking ball that they threw as their outpitch. Not only does this group look alike and throw alike, but they have problems alike. The kryptonite to these three Supermen appears to be cheeseburgers and control. All three pitchers suffered overweight issues at some point during their playing day, Ceda has already had his weight become an issue a few years ago when the Cubs traded for him. The Padres thought he was becoming too apathetic with his workouts and diet program and that’s when they cut ties with the 280lb talented reliever. Since joining the Cubs, he has been closely monitored especially in the offseason.

The “weight” of the issue is one that Jose will have to watch closely throughout his career if he wants to a professional longterm. Outside of obesity, Ceda also has a condition that Smith and Mesa possessed in that they have acontrola. A rare disease where a pitcher loses absolute control of the situation. It can be classified as having two or more of the following symptoms: (1) walking a batter or two to leadoff an inning (2) hitting a batter when one is up in the count, (3) not being able to throw a strike in 8 consecutive pitches, (4) walking in a run, (5) throwing strike three in the dirt that it skips to the backstop or (6) allowing consecutive hits on pitches down the heart of the plate. Acontrola can lead to fans’ developing nausea, heartburn, indigestion, hair loss, hoarse voice, uncontrolable crying, and is even linked to alcoholism.

Bob’s Take: Depending on how healthy the Chicago bullpen is and how dominating Ceda is, it’s not impossible to see him getting some playing time in the big leagues this year. Ceda could be this year’s breakout version of 2006 Carlos Marmol, in that he’s a pitcher that came out of nowhere. And by 2009, I fully expect Ceda to challenge for a spot in the Cubs bullpen. For the time being though, Jose will likely start the 2008 season in AA Tennessee as their closer. By doing so he’ll completely bypass High A Daytona after destroying Low A Peoria as a reliever. Ceda still needs to work on harnessing some control of his fastball while throwing his slider more consistently. If he can do that, he’s got the perfect makeup as a great setup man/closer for years to come.