Eric Cerantola (born May 2, 2000) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2026.

Career

Cerantola attended Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario. The Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected him in the 2016 OHL draft, but he decided to focus on his baseball career. The Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected him in the MLB draft after he graduated from high school, but he enrolled at Mississippi State University to play college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs instead, playing there for four seasons.

The Kansas City Royals selected Cerantola in the fifth round, with the 139th overall selection, of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Royals, receiving a $500,000 signing bonus, and made his professional debut with the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Royals, posting a 5.71 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 10 appearances.

Cerantola split the 2022 season between the Single–A Columbia Fireflies and High–A Quad Cities River Bandits. In 10 starts split between the two affiliates, he posted a 1–3 record and 5.34 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 30+1⁄3 innings pitched. Cerantola split 2023 between Quad Cities and the Double–A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, accumulating a 3–4 record and 3.66 ERA with 99 strikeouts and two saves across 76+1⁄3 innings pitched.

In 2024, Cerantola played for Double–A Northwest Arkansas and the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers. In 37 total appearances for the two affiliates, he compiled a 3–4 record and 2.97 ERA with 101 strikeouts across 72+2⁄3 innings pitched. Following the season, the Royals added Cerantola to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

To begin the 2025 season, the Royals optioned Cerantola to Triple-A Omaha. He made 38 appearances (including one start) for Omaha, compiling a 2-2 record and 4.04 ERA with 63 strikeouts and one save over 49 innings of work. Cerantola was again optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2026 season.

On May 6, 2026, Cerantola was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut the same day.

External links

  • Career statistics from