Brett Cecil 2015

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil throws in the seventh inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla., Thursday, March 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The Toronto Blue Jays last week officially named left-hander Brett Cecil their closer to open the 2015 season. While

owners covet such information, the late nature of the announcement and Cecil's relative obscurity have kept the closer a secret in many drafts. Given his recent ascent as a starter-turned-reliever, Cecil still has plenty of value potential.

Cecil is armed with a quality fastball and one of the most effective curveballs among Major League relievers. That combination led to a career-high strikeout rate (12.8 K/9) and five saves last season. Could the former first-round pick be even better in a closing role?

Overview:

Recently announced Blue Jays' closer and an emerging force as a reliever.

Background:

A first-round pick of the Blue Jays (No. 38) overall in the 2007 amateur draft. ... was named Toronto's closer by manager John Gibbons on March 22 despite being slowed with a shoulder injury early in spring training. ... the injury to starter Marcus Stroman effectively sealed the job for Cecil as Aaron Sanchez was moved to the starting rotation in Stroman's place. ... Cecil began his career as a starting pitcher, where he struggled before moving to the bullpen midway through the 2012 season. ... found his stride as a reliever in 2013 and took another step toward dominance last season, ultimately picking up five saves for the Jays. ... he told the

Toronto Star

he's

in an effort to combat a walk rate that ballooned to 4.56 walks-per-nine last season. "If I'm going to be the closer, then obviously the walks have to come down, which means fastball command has to get better. So, in turn, I'm hoping that I don't have to go to my curveball so quickly in counts." ... Aaron Loup, who has a 2.77 ERA in three Major League seasons, and rookie Miguel Castro should be considered Cecil's top competition for closing duties, should the lefty struggle early.

2014 stats:

2-3, 5 saves, 2.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 76 Ks in 53.1 innings.

Numbers and trends:

Cecil's strikeout rate has improved in each of the last two seasons, capped by whiffing 12.83 batters per nine innings last season. ... walk rate was troubling as it ballooned to 11.5 percent, but even a turn toward a so-so career rate (8.5 percent) can work with his ability to miss bats. ... posted a 2.50 groundball-to-flyball ratio last season while lowering his flyball rate (21.5 percent) for a third consecutive season. ... allowed just two home runs in 53.1 innings. ... had the most valuable curveball among Major League relievers last year, a pitch he threw 43.5 percent of the time. ... rise in WHIP (1.37) was partly bad luck as his BABIP climbed to .344 from .267 last season. ... Cecil's career BABIP is .300, which includes his struggles as a starter. ... has stranded runners at an above-average rate the last two seasons, including an 81.5 percent mark in 2014. ... could benefit from improved infield defense with additions of first baseman Justin Smoak and third baseman Josh Donaldson.

Strengths:

Has all the characteristics of a quality closer by keeping the ball down, missing bats and keeping the ball in the park. ... also has underlying stats to suggest the closer role is a good fit with a good strand rate (81.5 percent), a .120 opponents batting average with runners in scoring position and a .192 opponents batting average with runners on base. ... has a relative amount of security as closer with Aaron Sanchez pegged to start the year in the rotation. ... strikeouts are a bonus and could climb with a projected heavier workload.

Risk factors:

While the half-full glass suggests Cecil's walk rate can come down in his third season as a reliever, the pessimist can still see it being an even bigger issue in 2015. ... his opponents' batting average also rose last season, which fueled a 1.37 WHIP that was still a notch below his lofty career rate of 1.38. ... still must get early results or risks losing the job ... he must also remain healthy, which is no lock at this point.

Average draft position:

212.4 ESPN; 229.2 Yahoo!

Verdict:

Has tremendous value potential as a late-round pick, at least until the majority of owners catch up with last week's news. Potential WHIP risk is far outweighed by rewards in strikeouts and saves.