May 7, 2026
By Kevin Glew
Cooperstowners in Canada
Right-hander Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.) made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.
The 6-foot-5 Canuck struck out two batters and pitched a scoreless top of the ninth in a Royals’ 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
After walking Brayan Rocchio, the first batter he faced, Cerantola allowed a single to Austin Hedges that advanced Rocchio to third. But Hedges was thrown out attempting to steal second and Cerantola then fanned Petey Halpin and Angel Martinez to end the inning.
After calling Cerantola up on Wednesday afternoon, the Royals wasted little time in getting him into a game.
In 12 games for the Royals’ triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers this season, the 6-foot-5 righty had gone 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA with five saves. He had 18 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.
His dominance in triple-A came on the heels of two scoreless relief outings for Canada at the World Baseball Classic.
The 25-year-old right-hander’s stock in the Royals’ system rose last season after he fanned 63 batters in 49 innings in 38 appearances (one start) in triple-A. He finished with a 2-2 record with a 4.04 ERA.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB draft out of Mississippi State University by the Royals, he is in his sixth professional season. The Great Lake Canadians and Junior National Team alum owns a 10-13 record and a 3.59 ERA in 133 minor league appearances (24 starts). He has fanned 326 batters in 245 2/3 innings.
Cerantola, whose best pitch is his slider, has joined a Royals’ bullpen that owned a 4.82 ERA heading into Wednesday’s contest.
Cerantola become the 20th player born in Canada to play in the majors this season. Three other players who have suited up for the Canadian national team – Freddie Freeman, Otto Lopez and Jameson Taillon – are also competing in the big leagues.
I’m curious. Both baseball-reference.com and the photo from the Royals that you included with your blog list Cerantola as being born in Montreal QC. Is there a reason why you list him as being born in Oakville?
Thanks for your note. I try to list the city that the player most identifies with. Cerantola was born in Montreal, but he grew up and went to high school in Oakville. I’m not saying the way I do it is right and I still get things wrong, but this is the way I do it.
Fair enough! If you apply that same logic to other cases, then Kirk McCaskill (who moved to U.S. as a baby) shouldn’t have Kapuskasing, Ontario listed as his place of origin.
My system is far from perfect, I know.
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for your support.
thanks for the rundown on his first game Kevin. Such a great honour for Eric and his family
Thanks for your comment and support, Scott.
I was listening to the game. I’m a Tom Hamilton fan.
It is always exciting when a player makes his MLB debut.
Last Saturday I was watching the Rangers/Tigers game.
Peyton Gray…….or is it Grey…….. made his debut for the Rangers.
He is a 30 year old rookie. His is a great story!!
Thanks for sharing this and for your support.