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 Trevor Williams. (The only MLB player with a surname that starts with Z is Detroit Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmerman).

Blake Cederlind

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Age: 24

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 215 pounds

2020 MLB statistics: 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, one save in 4 innings over five appearances.

Contract: Not eligible for arbitration until 2024.

Acquired: Drafted by the Pirates in the fifth round in 2016.

This past season: Cederlind announced his presence with authority in spring training, turning heads at Pirate City with his grunts and popping the leather of catchers’ mitts with triple-digit heat.

More important, Cederlind shined in Grapefruit League play. In 42/3 innings over five spring games, he didn’t allow a hit or an earned run, walking four batters and striking out nine.

But Cederlind missed all of summer camp at PNC Park after testing positive for covid-19, and that delayed his major league debut. He spent the summer at the Pirates’ alternate training site in Altoona, working on building up his throwing volume and getting his legs underneath him so he could focus on pitch execution and controlling the strike zone.

“We wanted to be really careful with him, especially physically because of how much he relies on velocity and not wanting to rush that process,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said. “That’s the big thing with him. His stuff is so good that it’s really getting it in the strike zone, being aggressive with it.”

By mid-September, Cederlind’s call-up became one of the bright spots for the team with the worst record in baseball.

And he didn’t disappoint.

#Pirates' Blake Cederlind cruised through a 1-2-3 inning in his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/fffn0KbdSE

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 16, 2020

Cederlind touched 98 mph on his first pitch and 99 on his second on his way to retiring the Cincinnati Reds in order in the sixth inning of a 4-1 loss Sept. 15 at Great American Ball Park. Cederlind threw six fastballs that reached 97 mph or higher. His only disappointment was he didn’t get any strikeouts.

“I wish I could’ve gotten a couple tickets, but I was happy it was clean,” Cederlind said. “Anytime you can get a clean one, you never complain.”

Cederlind had a rough outing in a 5-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 21, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while facing four batters and failing to get an out.

But those were the only runs, hits or walks he allowed in five appearances, and Cederlind looks like he could be a big piece of the Pirates’ bullpen for years to come.

The future: After Cederlind performed well over three minor league levels in 2019, he was primed for a big year at Triple-A Indianapolis last season before the pandemic shortened the season.

But the Pirates saw progress from Cederlind, taking him on a road trip to Kansas City so he could spend time with pitching coach Oscar Marin and bullpen coach Justin Meccage.

The Pirates are in search for a closer, with Keone Kela heading for free agency and Nick Burdi being designated for assignment following a second Tommy John surgery. Cederlind has closer stuff — and the mentality — but lacks the experience to handle that role just yet.

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

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 20, 2020

Cederlind’s velocity is impressive, as is his ability to get misses on 32.1% of pitches that drew swings (9 of 28). He has to improve his control, and that will be Cederlind’s focus this coming season. That comes with continued adjustments and repetitions.

Cherington said the Pirates hope to see a lot of Cederlind.

“He’s always had a really good arm,” Cherington said. “When someone can make the baseball do the kinds of things that he can make it do, there’s always hope and belief that that’s going to translate into success against the best hitters. There’s kind of no hitter he shouldn’t be able to get out if he’s able to get his pitches where he wants them.”

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