Garin Cecchini

[The Gray Eagle]

After cooling off for a couple weeks, Cecchini has gone 6 for his last 14 to put his AA numbers at: .333/.422/.486 in 111 at-bats. In 45 AA plate appearances against lefties, he's at .356/.420/.511-- hitting better against lefties than righties.
 
For the season, in A and AA combined, he is at .345/.454/.526 in 325 at-bats, 28 doubles, 5 triples and 7 HRs. 18 for 26 in stolen bases.
 
This kid has just raked at every level he's ever played at.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

An 0 for 13 / 1 for 21 / 5 for 32 slump has dropped Cecchini's Portland numbers down to 294/409/413. He has walked 5 times in his last 3 games, so the OBP is still really good.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini finishes the year at Portland with a line of 296/420/404 in 240 at-bats. Also 8 for 10 in steals, but his strikeouts finally did edge out his walks: 51 walks in AA, with 52 Ks.
 
His overall combined numbers from high A and Portland: .322/.443/.471 (.915) in 454 at-bats, 7 HRs, 61 RBI, 33 doubles, 7 triples. 94 walks to 86 strikeouts. 23 steals, caught 9 times.
 
In AA, he put up an 864 OPS in 81 at-bats against lefties, which is quite promising.
 
He's off the the Arizona Fall League now, where he'll join 5 other Red Sox prospects (including Mookie Betts) on the Surprise Saguaros roster.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini made the AFL all-star game, and went 1 for 2 with a HR. He's hitting .255/.406/.309 in 69 plate appearances in the fall league. 13 walks to 12 Ks, 3 for 4 in stolen bases. Good to see him keep doing what he does, even against tougher pitching,-- not making outs, walking more than he Ks, stealing bases.
 
No power, but still getting on base. He sounds like a grinder, and as the son of a coach, he's got to have been schooled well.
 
I would think he's going to start the season in Pawtucket, should be fun to see how he does.

 

[Joshv02]

Fun with small samples: the hr would bump his slg by 60 points if we counted AS stats.

 

[OttoC]

Cafardo in Feb. 12, 2014 Globe says, "Butterfield was impressed with Cecchini's footwork and his general skill at the position [3b]."

 

[Mike F]

Having watched for two days I'd say he has demonstrated the necessary basics to be an above average fielder. Haven't seen him dive for screaming down the liners or SS hole grounders

As cited elsewhere he's a good sized kid.

 

[JimBoSox9]

It's never really been clear to me why any of his power-bearish scouting reports over the last year or two think that way, other than "well I thought he was shit three years ago so I'm going to give him a 40 is something dammit'

 

[5dice]

I said in the ST thread that he looks big in person having seen him the other day live. I hope the oft cited Youk comparison ends up being realized--not selling out for power's sake, but squaring up balls and driving them and letting those chips fall where they may on the slugging scale as he finishes filling out.

 

[mabrowndog]

He was interviewed on Dennis & Callahan this morning (broadcasting from Fort Myers, simulcast on NESN), and what an impressive kid. Completely comfortable in a media environment, confident but not cocky, humble but not shy, and speaking with a respectful knowledge and intelligent awareness of the game and its history seldom seen in MLB veterans, let alone a prospect who's never played a game at AAA.
 
To the hosts' credit (believe me, there's plenty to criticize them for otherwise), they asked some challenging and insightful questions about his approach and his goals. At no point did Garin give any canned responses, or resort to the "ummmm"s and "uhhhhh"s so common in sports interviews, even among more seasoned athletes. He answered each time without hesitation, infusing humor when appropriate, carrying a relaxed demeanor while exuding that youthful exuberance we all want to see in the next generation of Sox ballplayers. He reminds me of a young Brad Ausmus in the way he speaks and carries himself, which is a high compliment.
 
I'll post the audio link when it's up at WEEI.

 

[TheoShmeo]

Great to read all that Mark, even if it was in your J. Peterman voice!
 
With the Sox spending time during the off season chasing Drew (at their price), now moving Carp over to third for some reps/insurance, and having an impressive kid like Cecchini in camp and destined for Portland to start the season, we're going to see how Will Middlebrooks performs under a little pressure.  That is, in addition to what he would be facing even without any of those things.
 
Here's to Garin's game matching up with his maturity, and giving WMB someone to worry about and, much more importantly, the Sox a viable back-up plan.

 

[SaveBooFerriss]

Not sure why you think Cecchini is destined for Portland.  While it probably hasn't been decided, I think it is more than 50/50 that he starts in Pawtucket.   

 

[mabrowndog]

Not sure why you think Cecchini is destined for Portland.  While it probably hasn't been decided, I think it is more than 50/50 that he starts in Pawtucket.   

 
I'd be really surprised if he's not in AAA to start the season, but then again the Sox may want to ensure a "soft landing" of sorts by having him kick ass and take names again with the Sea Dogs for a month before making the jump. He also responded really well to Gedman's hitting instruction there, so maybe some short-term reinforcement of that tutelage might be in the works.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I thought I had read that he'd be in AA to start this season but a quick google search failed to unearth where I got that from.

 

[Brianish]

FWIW, SoxProspects has him listed as Pawtucket right now. Might be supposition on their part, or they might've been told that was the plan. 

 

[mabrowndog]

Here's the link to today's WEEI interview on D&C. Wish there was video as well, because the kid looks every bit the part.

 

[seantoo]

Here's the link to today's WEEI interview on D&C. Wish there was video as well, because the kid looks every bit the part.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ewjpzunV-xwbQJHN6xp4pHAZtypFzt2Fsj7b0DTrzO0=w120-h210-p-no
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NGwAsrpScySbeuzdGUHsnke_OyYBbZ_Tc8EDVtssLEM=w402-h226-p-no
 
From my droid, 7 photos in a second. IIRC he fouled this off to the third base side or roped one down to the opposite field corner.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini starts the season with the Pawsox. He turns 23 on the 20th, and is only one level from the majors. If he starts well, he could see some action in Boston this year.
 
Some good quotes from him in the Pawsox preview article.
 
Here is his milb.com minor league player page.

 

[SouthernBoSox]

Hope he starts hot.

I could see him up by the middle of the season if he rakes. Every day that goes by is another day where WMB doesn't look like the answer.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

I almost never read this forum but I'm down at McCoy and this guy has definitely caught my eye today.

 

[Rough Carrigan]

I almost never read this forum but I'm down at McCoy and this guy has definitely caught my eye today.

Please explain why.

 

[TallerThanPedroia]

Please explain why.

Sorry, I was on my phone earlier. Having known nothing about him, and he was only hitting sixth, he stood out in the lineup among names I recognized better like Lavarnway and Snyder. Patient at the plate, good eye, full of confidence. Reminded me of Youkilis, or maybe Bill Mueller. Looking at his stats now, that assessment seems to hold up.

 

[Byrdbrain]

Sorry, I was on my phone earlier. Having known nothing about him, and he was only hitting sixth, he stood out in the lineup among names I recognized better like Lavarnway and Snyder. Patient at the plate, good eye, full of confidence. Reminded me of Youkilis, or maybe Bill Mueller. Looking at his stats now, that assessment seems to hold up.

Mueller is a very common comp,, some discussion a few months back when Law said that was his floor.

 

[wolfe_boston]

I don't see Bogearts working out at SS. He already has a negative defensive WAR and should move to 3b in the not too distant future. Marrero might be the SS by next year. IMO Cecchini could play LF- if he has enough speed to steal bases he'll be more then fast enough. If WMB has a big year they could trade Napoli. I doubt if they will keep Sizemore as he has less value as a leftfielder.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

I don't see Bogearts working out at SS. He already has a negative defensive WAR and should move to 3b in the not too distant future. Marrero might be the SS by next year. IMO Cecchini could play LF- if he has enough speed to steal bases he'll be more then fast enough. If WMB has a big year they could trade Napoli. I doubt if they will keep Sizemore as he has less value as a leftfielder.

 
So you think 2 weeks worth of data is predictive? IIRC you need a couple of years worth of defensive data to have any predictive value

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini has hits in 9 of his first 10 games and is hitting .316/.366/.342. No power, so OPS isn't great but he's getting on base. 
 
Tiny sample size of course, but he's hitting .407 against righties and 1 for 11 against lefties. 

 

[wolfe_boston]

BCMJY

You're right about 2014 being a small sample. The only stat available for minor leaguers is the range factor which seems to be meaningless as Jeter, Drew, XB and IGGY are all around 4.0. I guess I'll make my case baised on scouting reports that all seem to projet a move to 3B. In addition, based on the 5-6 games I've watched this year he doen't appear to have a quick first step.I still like Cecchini in LF.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

BCMJY
You're right about 2014 being a small sample. The only stat available for minor leaguers is the range factor which seems to be meaningless as Jeter, Drew, XB and IGGY are all around 4.0. I guess I'll make my case baised on scouting reports that all seem to projet a move to 3B. In addition, based on the 5-6 games I've watched this year he doen't appear to have a quick first step.I still like Cecchini in LF.

I think he had an early scouting rep as someone who would have to move. Later reports - including guys like Keith Law have - have come around and think he can stick there.

My own eye tells me he's adequate .. But better footwork - which is something he's been working on - could move him up to slightly better than average. I don't think hell ever be much better than that.

 

[LondonSox]

IMO the early (lazy) fielding scouting reports were as much based on the idea that he was too big (or rather would become too big) for SS.
Marrero really coming into his own could make that an easier decision but for now he's clearly not a disaster.
 
Cecchini and Middlebrooks fight for 3B next year, and if Betts or Marrero push the issue they could have some impact on that all too.
There are a lot fo really very exciting inflieders coming up for the Sox and nowhere to put them all at once.

 

[SumnerH]

There's ongoing discussion of Cecchini as a prospect here, linking it for future reference if people go back to this thread.
 
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/82955-cecchini-for-the-love-of-obp

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini finishes his first month in Pawtucket with a slash line of .312/.400/.390. 11 BB to 18 Ks, 2 for 2 in stolen bases.
 
Only 1 HR and 2 doubles, so the power isn't happening yet, but it's hard to argue with a .400 OBP in his first month at AAA.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Garin now at 299/394/376 on the year in 117 at-bats. Still not much power, and only a 658 OPS against lefties in 36 PAs. But he is still getting on base a lot, so that part is encouraging. 18 BB to 28 K on the season.

 

[nvalvo]

And called up, if likely just for a day or two. 

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Yup, he gets a taste of the big leagues for a day or so, despite slumping for the past few weeks. AAA season numbers are down to 278/354/335. 8 for his last 40, with only 1 double, 7 singles, 1 BB 7 whiffs over the last 10 games.
 
Seems pretty clear that they were anticipating bringing him up for September anyway, so might as well use him for some depth when we could use another infielder.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini drilled a double off the monster in his first big league hit, then got sent back down. His slump continued in AAA, as he dropped down to .263/.344/.329 on the year. He got another call-up when Grady Sizemore got released and is still with the big club in the West Coast, though he hasn't gotten into a game this time.
 
Cecchini continues to maintain his sweet .500/.500/.1000 career big league slash line. If he can just keep that up, he will demolish loads of records and become the greatest hitter in the history of major league baseball. He probably won't though.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I expect he won't survive the Doubront activation, but he might survive until Victorino

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini has struggled since May, and now he's down to .256/.322/.331 on the year. He's now played 8 games in LF, showing some positional versatility which should be useful down the road. 

 

[The Gray Eagle]

On Aug. 7th, Cecchini went 0 for 4, dropping his season batting average down to a woeful .236. Since then, he's hit in 8 straight games, going 13 for 33, to get his average back up to .250. He also belted his 6th and 7th home runs of the season, while knocking in 12 runs in those 8 games. He's at .250/.323/.354 on the year now-- not good numbers, but at least on the upswing lately. 
 
He's also 11 for 12 in stolen bases, but has whiffed 86 times in his 364 at-bats, while drawing 35 walks. 

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/504416352346857472

 

[ivanvamp]

Time to send WMB back down and let Cecchini play in the majors the rest of the year?  Or should they just ride out WMB at third and keep Cecchini in AAA for the rest of the year?  
 
Either way, I want to see Cecchini force the Sox to put him at 3b next year because his bat has adjusted to the next level and he's ready to put up a .380 OBP with decent pop at the major league level.  

 

[JakeRae]

Time to send WMB back down and let Cecchini play in the majors the rest of the year?  Or should they just ride out WMB at third and keep Cecchini in AAA for the rest of the year?  
 
Either way, I want to see Cecchini force the Sox to put him at 3b next year because his bat has adjusted to the next level and he's ready to put up a .380 OBP with decent pop at the major league level.  

Promoting Cecchini now would be an overreaction to a hot streak. This really shouldn't be a debate, at all, until the AAA season ends.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Garin hit .333/.413/.500 in August, to push his final season numbers up to .263/.341/.371. Not great, but much better than where he was in his dismal July. In 407 at-bats, he finished with 44 walks to 99 Ks, 11 for 12 in stolen bases and 7 HRs. 
 
Hopefully it will be better for him to have dealt with a bad slump and come out of it at the minor league level, rather than having to have to deal with that for the first time in the majors. 

 

[Harry Hooper]

I made it out to Pittsburgh for the Sox pitiful showing vs. the Pirates. Garin displayed some pretty sick power in BP, smashing multiple deep drives. He actually hit one over the RF bleachers that one-hopped into the river. Just BP, though.

 

[foulkehampshire]

I made it out to Pittsburgh for the Sox pitiful showing vs. the Pirates. Garin displayed some pretty sick power in BP, smashing multiple deep drives. He actually hit one over the RF bleachers that one-hopped into the river. Just BP, though.

 
Fingers crossed for a Youkilis-type power breakout in a few years. 

 

[HillysLastWalk]

Looking at Youkilis' AAA stats for a second ...
 
In his first exposure to AAA, at age 24, he played 32 games, 132 PA's and had this slash line: 165/295/248 (ugly!),  so even Youkilis initially struggled.
 
The next year, at age 25, he played 38 games, 178 PA's and had this slash line: 266/350/403.  Garin, at 23, had this somewhat similar slash line: 263/341/371.
 
Now, to be fair, Youkilis had these walk and K rates:
 
age 24 - 13.6%, 15.9%
age 25 - 10.7%, 15.7%
 
And Garin had this:
 
age 23 - 9.6%, 21.6%
 
EDIT: Oops, misread Garin's walk/K rates.  I'd also like to know where to get some stats like ISO, at a glance, for Youkilis.  Fangraphs doesn't seem to want to display minor league stats when I click the "Minors" link on his fangraphs page.
 
I'm not down on Garin yet (not saying anyone is), and from a developmental perspective, this might be a benefit.  The burst at the end of the season was very encouraging - and with an increased walk rate (compared to his overall line).

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Looking at Youkilis' AAA stats for a second ...
 
In his first exposure to AAA, at age 24, he played 32 games, 132 PA's and had this slash line: 165/295/248 (ugly!),  so even Youkilis initially struggled.
 
The next year, at age 25, he played 38 games, 178 PA's and had this slash line: 266/350/403.  Garin, at 23, had this somewhat similar slash line: 263/341/371.
 
Now, to be fair, Youkilis had these walk and K rates:
 
age 24 - 13.6%, 15.9%
age 25 - 10.7%, 15.7%
 
And Garin had this:
 
age 23 - 9.6%, 21.6%
 
EDIT: Oops, misread Garin's walk/K rates.  I'd also like to know where to get some stats like ISO, at a glance, for Youkilis.  Fangraphs doesn't seem to want to display minor league stats when I click the "Minors" link on his fangraphs page.
 
I'm not down on Garin yet (not saying anyone is), and from a developmental perspective, this might be a benefit.  The burst at the end of the season was very encouraging - and with an increased walk rate (compared to his overall line).

Baseball-reference has minor league stats. ISO is easy enough to calculate but Youkilis minor league career isn't exactly normal when he's drawing 70 walks in 280 PA.

Youks minpr league ISO was .142, although he had 310 at bats slugging over .500 and an ISO of .200+ in his age 25-26 seasons when he was already hitting in the majors. Looks like his major power spike happened in his age 26 season though.

 

[Plympton91]

Cecchini's season was a lot like Trot Nixon's first AAA season. If Cecchini can deliver Nixon's career we'll all take it.

 

[Mike F]

Especially if he understands the "infield fly" rule.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Needs work on handling "Baltimore chops" from past due date Yankee shortstops.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Cecchini is off to a miserable start in AAA: .167/.191/.258 in 66 at-bats. 20 strikeouts with only 2 walks. 
 
That strikeout/walk ratio is terrible, and worrisome since he already has had a year at AAA and a taste of the majors. Very disappointing start to the season for Cecchini.