Last fall, he embarked on Adams’ velocity program and his training kit is in a cloth bag in his locker: A half-dozen weighted balls, each inside its own sock. The balls range in weight from two ounces to two pounds. He has been at it since last October and has already seen significant improvement in his velocity. Reluctant to discuss radar gun numbers, his enthusiasm for the process tells you all you need to know about the progress he’s made.
“Before I started the program, they did velocity tests to set a baseline for the program then every so often they go back to the radar gun to see where you’re at. Even without the (gun) readings, I can feel there is more arm speed as I go through my motion.
“I’m really excited about this and excited to keep working on it as we start facing live hitting here in camp,” he said.
Between the move to the 'pen, and his commitment to this program, Cecil could be poised to become an important piece of the picture. I really liked him after his 15-win campaign - he seemed to find a way a beat the best teams. But after the last few years it's been hard to get excited about him. Perhaps he could be on a Scott Downs-type career arch - never quite good enough to be a starter but finds himself as a shut-down reliever.
