The Mets have selected a speedy five-tool shortstop from Louisiana named Gavin Cecchini. The Mets had been tied to Cecchini for some time and while Giolito, McCullers, and Hawkins were still on the board, the Mets go with middle infield talent here instead and get a fantastic player.
I profiled Cecchini a couple days ago which you can read here:http://macksmets.blogspot.com/2012/05/macks-mets-draft-profile-ss-gavin.html
Here are some notes on Gavin:
- Just yesterday named the Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year. This puts him in the running for Gatorade National Player of the Year.
- As a senior, hit .413 with 7 HR, 32 RBI, 43 runs, and wreaked havoc on the base paths by stealing 32 bases while leading his high school squad to a state championship.
- That was after a junior year where his stat line was even more impressive: .532, 11 HR, 45 RBI in 36 games in a season in which Gavin broke his high school’s record for fielding percentage.
- Tireless worker. Receives universal praise for his work ethic, drive, and maturity for a high school athlete.
- If Cecchini grows into what scouts project, Gavin could offer a strong batting average, a bit of pop, and a ton of speed while leading off and playing above-average defense at shortstop. That is a rare package of tools and while Gavin may lack the “wow” factor some other prospects in the first round have, the sum of Cecchini’s tools make him an attractive option for any team picking in the first round.
- Scouts have stated that Cecchini has a similar skill set to last year’s pick Brandon Nimmo but is further along in the development process.
- Read this article and tell me you would not love this kid in the system. To paraphrase: one night Gavin’s father thought an intruder was in his house just to find his son reentering his home after sneaking out late at night to pull 200-lb. airplane tires to get another workout in. This sort of dedication, which includes taking swings whenever he can—even during his lunch period—is part of what defines Cecchini.
Reaction: Given Giolito, McCullers, and Courtney Hawkins still on the board, I am surprised Cecchini was the pick here. Gavin is a sensational athlete, a great competitor, and a hard worker so I cannot blame the Mets being enamored with him.
Welcome to the system, Mr. Cecchini. We look forward to your athleticism and drive in our system for years to come.
LGM!
What do we think here?
ReplyDeleteYou have to imagine McCullers and Giolito have informed teams that they do not plan on signing. That assumed, out of: Stroman, Wacha, Stratton, D.J. Davis, Richie Shaffer, and Courtney Hawkins (or anyone else you like), who would you have taken here?
The one saving grace that I see, in what I think many of us feel is an underwhelming pick, is Cecchini didn't ONLY show a good bat, but also had an OBA .100 pts higher than his batting average in both his junior and senior years, meaning the guy knows how to GET ON BASE and NOT MAKE OUTS. I know I've been rubbing this point in, but anyone who has watched the Mets these past two years has seen the BB turn into a weapon for the Mets, not only by getting on base, but also by grinding out the ABs and getting to the bullpen faster. Cecchini has a natural talent at fouling balls off and not swinging at bad pitches, or at least, as far as I'm concerned, that's how you excel at getting BBs. You don't have to be a power hitter to do so--Rickey Henderson proved that (amongst several other players).
ReplyDeleteExactly. I like the pick. It is hard to argue against a speedster/lead-off SS with a great glove and make-up.
ReplyDeleteHis work ethic is second to none and while he may not have the upside of Almora or a Correa, he is a GREAT prospect. I would pencil him in right next to Nimmo on our prospect lists.
Pretty bummed Mets didn't take BPA:Courtney Hawkins. I am sure Cecchini is a great kid but I never want to draft for position
ReplyDeleteI do not think they drafted for position. I think the Mets had Cecchini as the BPA on their lists and were thrilled the Padres didn't take him (they were linked to him too).
ReplyDeleteMets liked this kid and I will bet you they thought long and hard about Hawkins but thought Cecchini was the better prospect. They might be right, they might not but either way we just got an awesome player.
What do you think this means for Tejada in the future?
ReplyDeleteAnd behavior is something which is really decided by the time we're 4 or 5, so a strong work ethic, great attitude, unselfish player seems like the way Alderson is leaning in his picks. Let's just all hope what Cecchini said is true--that he gets to play next to David Wright with the Mets. For that to happen, either Wright would have to sign a new contract and Cecchini would have to reach the majors by 21 or 22, OR, Wright leaves and comes back to the Mets to retire and Cecchini takes forever to develop. Let's all hope it comes true via the former.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about this pick is it fits by position and need, but isn't a need pick. He was borderline, depending on the team, the top choice. Hawkins is my guy all the way in this situation, but Cecchini is the only one I wanted if Gio, McCullers and C-Hawk weren't picked. A line up with him at the top and Nimmo, Kirk, Wright, Duda and Ike is going to be dangerous down the line. If all works out the way it should.
ReplyDeleteI am rooting for this kid, but no way this guy is the BPA. His ceiling is a bottom of the order hitter with speed and no power, not great bat speed. The Mets definitely drafted for position, they don't have any middle infield prospects, so they had to get one. Mets just can't draft like teams such as the Nationals who will always take the BPA: Lucas Giolito. This is a safe pick who won't hit cleanup or be a big impact hitter. He's a nice guy, and San Diego was smart to take Max Fried over him as well. NEVER DRAFT FOR POSITION!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both across the board. To address the Ruben question, someone on facebook actually just asked me that. What I said to him was simple: You don't draft for position.
ReplyDeleteThink about this: If the Rockies saw Carlos Correa on the board, they would draft him even though you have Tulo.
I think Ruben is the SS of the future but so much can happen in the years until Gavin is ready. A lot can happen, including moving positions, injury, trade, and signing elsewhere. Say Ruben, Wright, and Murphy are all playing well, signed for a while, and committed to the long-term. Then Cecchini, if he works out, because the best trade chip in the game.
You draft for talent, regardless. You run into problems when you sacrifice talent for big-league need. The Mets saw Gavin as the best player here and they stuck with their guns. I like it.
It would have to mean Tejada had best learn to take BB and get his OBP up, and not develop a habit of getting injured OR, it could mean (and this is what was suggested) the Mets see Cecchini at 2b, not at SS. Though, if his speed, work ethic, and baseball smarts are everything they seem to think, I see no reason why he wouldn't displace Tejada at SS. Tejada is still REALLY young though, so he might learn to BB, his average and power might improve... a player generally reaches his upside by 25, and Tejada isn't closed to that yet.
ReplyDeleteAny clue how close to the slot amount they put for this pick Gavin goes for? Like will this pick allow them to go above slot for their supplemental pick? And still sticking to what you had before with Clint for pick 35 maybe Stryker if he's still available?
ReplyDeleteEverything you read about this kid tells me his ceiling is Ruben Tejada with 15-20 steals. His floor is selling real estate...I just don't get this pick with all that pitching left...
ReplyDeleteThere is too much focus on the major league club when it comes to Cecchini. This means nothing for Tejada. The Mets took the best player on the board in their eyes, simple as that.
ReplyDeleteGavin will take four years MINIMUM to get to Flushing. A LOT can happen in that time. You take the best player available and stock the system. That is what the Mets are doing.
I feel like the best case scenario for Cecchini is Elvis Andrus. I can see him going that way. Good D, great on the bases, and solid hitter. Maybe .280-.290 with 10-15 homers and 35 SBs?
ReplyDeleteI would take that out of the 12th pick any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteFact is, all of these HS guys are so unknown at this point. Hopefully the scouts got it right.