December 4, 2015 at 5:18 PM
Red Sox designate Cecchini to make room for Price
Cecchini, a once-promising prospect, has tumbled down the prospect lists over the past couple seasons. He peaked as high as third on our rankings here at SoxProspects.com back in September of 2013 after hitting .322/.443/.471 between Salem and Portland that season. However, Triple-A has proved to be a challenge that he has been unable to conquer thus far. Cecchini's fall from grace began in 2014 with Pawtucket, batting .263/.341/.371 in 114 games. He was called up to Boston for a game on June 1 of that year, but was sent right back down after the game. He reappeared in Boston for a cup of coffee in late September of 2014, playing in 11 total games with the Red Sox.
Things got worse for Cecchini in 2015 as he saw his offensive production fall off a cliff. He batted just .213/.286/.296 in 117 Triple-A games this past season, playing in only two major league games. Cecchini never brought much to the table defensively or in the power department, but prior to his time in Pawtucket, he was an on-base machine, putting up a .394 OBP as his lowest mark in a season before 2014.
This season, he began playing left field as his primary position with some third and first base mixed in, after playing third base for the majority of his career. He also swiped 51 bases for Greenville in 2012 despite his lack of above-average speed, using his top-notch baseball instincts.
This season, he began playing left field as his primary position with some third and first base mixed in, after playing third base for the majority of his career. He also swiped 51 bases for Greenville in 2012 despite his lack of above-average speed, using his top-notch baseball instincts.
The 24-year-old was selected by Boston in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of high school. SoxProspects.com's Chris Hatfield speculates that Cecchini will either be claimed by another team or traded.
Photo Credit: Garin Cecchini by Kelly O'Connor