Tom Brennan - TOP 25 METS' PROSPECTS: # 8 GAVIN CECCHINI

Tom Brennan - TOP 25 METS' PROSPECTS: # 8 GAVIN CECCHINI

Gavin Cecchini - ahh, what to make of him.  Many are puzzled as to how successful a future big league career this former first round pick will have. 

 

(Painful Reminder: Cecchini was picked 12th overall in the 2013 draft, and it pains Mets fans to realize that one pick earlier was Addison Russell, and 4 picks past Gavin was Lucas Giolito, and 6 picks after Gavin was Corey Seager, who is now ranked the # 1 shortstop by MLB Network’s The Shredder.  Gavin did not pick himself, the Mets picked him, so he has to ignore that and work hard to move forward the best he can towards a decent big league career.

 

This is the year for him to make a big statement.

 

Cecchini was an awfully high error at shortstop in 2016 (though he was much better towards year end), and one can only hope a switch in 2017 to 2B will erase his fielding issues and let him concentrate more on becoming a more lethal hitter.

 

Getting back to positive stuff, Gavin has strutted out a very decent hitting tool the past 2 years in AA and AAA.  His power has been disappointing, but it improved in 2016.  He has hit .320 the past 2 years, with 53 doubles, 6 triples, and 15 homers in 885 at bats, with a .385 OB % and .445 slugging %. 

 

Only a K roughly every 10 plate appearances, a huge plus when considering potential hitting success in the bigs.  

 

He just turned 23 and I am expecting decent 2B fielding, a spike in homers, and perhaps a call up by June if the big club has injuries. 

 

My guess: average quality starting 2B starting in 2018, unless Phill Evans proves 2016 was no fluke, or TJ Rivera pushes them both aside. 

 

And of course, Wilmer Flores is shouting, "I'll play second, I'll play second, I won't cry, promise."