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Maryland Baseball: Brett Cecil selected to Team USA in World Baseball Classic

By Chris Bengel

Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the 8th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the 8th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brett Cecil made headlines this offseason when he signed a hefty free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now the former Maryland star has been selected as a designated pitcher for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Play will begin on March 6.

Cecil was one of six players that comprise the designated pitcher pool for Team USA. He joins Michael Fulmer (Detroit Tigers), Sonny Gray (Oakland Athletics), J.A. Happ (Toronto Blue Jays),Drew Smyly (Seattle Mariners), and Alex Wilson (Detroit Tigers).

The former DeMatha Catholic (Md.) standout signed a four-year deal with the Cardinals in November that is worth $30.5 million. He had spent his first eight seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cecil has a career 4.20 ERA and is coming off a season in which he went 1-7 with a 3.93 ERA in 54 appearances. Toronto selected Cecil with the No. 38 pick in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft.

The former Terp became a full-time reliever in 2013 and finished off the 2016 season strong despite a bleak start. Cecil posted a 1.74 ERA and recorded 30 strikeouts over the final 30 regular season games.

He also held teams scoreless in six playoff appearances.

Cecil yielded a 10-12 record with a 3.96 ERA in three years in College Park. His best season came in 2007 when he went 5-6 with a 3.32 ERA and struck out a career-high 62 batters.

Seung-hwan Oh led the Cardinals with 19 saves while Trevor Rosenthal had 14 on the season.

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It would appear that Cecil will be the top lefty out of the St. Louis bullpen in 2017. Cecil will also have an opportunity to help the Cardinals try and dethrone the World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the Central division.

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