Garin Cecchini

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #30 prospect in 2016
  Cecchini spent three years looking like the best pure hitting prospect in the Red Sox system, and so when he struggled in 2014, evaluators noted his season-ending uptick at Triple-A Pawtucket and the big leagues. But when his offense reached even more severe depths in 2015 (including a 21.3 percent strikeout rate), his 2014 season could no longer be dismissed as an outlier. Whereas Cecchini's calling card had always been his ability to work deep counts while letting the ball travel and use his hands to shoot line drives all over the field, evaluators in 2014 and 2015 saw a player who appeared pull-conscious in trying to force power, with the result being the unraveling of one of what seemed like a formula that could yield high batting averages. Meanwhile, after spending most of his career at third base, Cecchini spent more time in left field (seemingly his most comfortable position) and at first base than at third in 2015, striking scouts as below-average at all three positions and raising significant positional questions going forward. Still, while Cecchini's recent struggles can't be dismissed, nor can his prior track record as a patient, .300-caliber hitter. If he can rediscover his approach, even with his defensive questions, he'd have a chance to reassert himself as a corner bat capable of earning semi-regular play against righthanders. Whether that opportunity comes in a Red Sox organization that is now a bit crowded with corner infielders is another question.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #10 prospect in 2015
  Cecchini appeared like a potential mid-2014 big league option at third base after leading the minors in on-base percentage (.443) with Salem and Portland in 2013. Instead, he lost the approach that had been a staple of his first three pro seasons. He finished strong and then hit well when afforded a season-ending big league opportunity. Cecchini struggled while focusing on not getting beaten on the inner half of the plate, and in the process, he slipped from an up-the-middle/opposite-field approach with high contact and walk rates to a pull-conscious hitter with high strikeout rates. He ironed that out by the end of the year, and impressed by driving balls from gap to gap in the big leagues. Defensively, Cecchini remains a below-average to fringy defender at third with an erratic throwing arm, but he shows a tremendous work ethic. He also started playing left field. Cecchini still has a considerable offensive ceiling as a player capable of hitting over .300 with high OBPs, and everyone seems to agree he'll hit. But given his typically modest extra-base totals, his value would take a hit if he ends up in left field or first base. He's expected to open 2015 back in Pawtucket but will be an immediate depth option.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #6 prospect in 2014
  Brought up in a family of baseball rats that included Mets 2012 first-rounder Gavin Cecchini, Garin slipped to the fourth round in 2010 over signability concerns at a time when he was recovering from a torn ACL. In his pro career, he's been a study in offensive consistency, an on-base machine who led full-season minor leaguers in OBP (.443) in 2013 while spending the season's second half at Double-A Portland. Cecchini has what one evaluator called a "magic barrel" that allows him to send liners up the middle and to left-center field, a trait amplified by tremendous strike-zone judgment. Though he's strong, scouts question whether he will (or should) sell out his approach to generate prototype power for a corner. He has at best average speed, yet his feel for the game permits him to steal bases. At third base, some feel he could be an average defender, while others wonder whether his subpar range may result in a move to left field or first base. Cecchini's ability to hit for average and get on base is unquestioned, suggesting a future as a big league regular. Given that the Red Sox have superior defenders on the left side of the infield--Xander Bogaerts, Deven Marrero and Will Middlebrooks--he may shift positions. Cecchini's spring will determine if he graduates to Triple-A Pawtucket.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #7 prospect in 2013
  After blowing out his right knee as a high school senior and having a pitch break his right wrist in his pro debut, Cecchini finally stayed healthy in 2012. The $1.31 million bonus signee ranked third in the low Class A South Atlantic League in doubles (38) and steals (51 in 57 attempts) and was named Red Sox minor league baserunner of the year. The Mets drafted his younger brother Gavin 12th overall in June. Garin is a pure hitter who excels at controlling the strike zone, managing at-bats and making adjustments. He has enough bat speed and strength to develop average power once he learns to load his hands better in his swing. It's hard to believe considering his 51 swipes, but Cecchini is a below-average runner out of the box. Though he has a quick first step and tremendous instincts on the bases, he won't be a huge basestealing threat at higher levels. He's also savvy in the field, leading SAL third basemen in fielding percentage (.944). He moves well laterally, and managers rated his infield arm as the best in the league. He has the tools to be a solid regular at third base, but Will Middlebrooks and possibly Xander Bogaerts may preclude Cecchini from playing there in Boston. If his power comes, he'd profile well on an outfield corner. He'll open 2013 in high Class A.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #7 prospect in 2012
  Cecchini might have been a first-round pick in 2010 had he not blown out the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and required reconstructive surgery that March. His rumored price tag made teams back off until the Red Sox drafted him in the fourth round, and they signed him for $1.31 million at the deadline. He tore up older competition in the short-season New York-Penn League last summer until an errant pitch broke his right wrist in late July. His brother Gavin is a potential first-rounder in the 2012 draft. Cecchini is the best pure hitter in the system. He has outstanding hand-eye coordination, and he manages at-bats and controls the strike zone well for a youngster. He inside-outs a lot of balls now, and he should have solid power once he gets stronger and turns on more pitches. Cecchini worked diligently to get back in shape after his knee injury, regaining his average speed. A high school shortstop, he moved to third base at Lowell and made 10 errors in 26 games. He has the hands, arm and agility to get the job done once he learns the position. Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts, the system's top two prospects, profile best at the hot corner. So does Cecchini, who will advance to low Class A and could start to move quickly if he stays healthy.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #7 prospect in 2011
  One of the best high school hitters in the 2010 draft, Cecchini projected as a possible first-rounder until he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and needed reconstructive surgery in mid-March. His reported $1.75 million price tag further scared teams off, so the Red Sox were able to grab him in the fourth round. He gave up a Louisiana State scholarship to sign for $1.31 million at the deadline. His brother Gavin is a top infield prospect for the 2012 draft. Cecchini's sweet lefthanded swing could end up being the best in the system. He's a pure hitter with outstanding hand-eye coordination, and he should have at least solid power once he learns to turn on more pitches. A shortstop in high school, he'll shift to third base as a pro and has the soft hands and strong arm to make the move work. His knee injury isn't a long-term concern because his fringe-average speed isn't a major part of his game. Cecchini was healthy enough to play at the end of instructional league, and he'll be 100 percent when he makes his pro debut in 2011. Boston may ease him into pro ball by sending him to short-season Lowell, but his bat may accelerate his timetable once he gets going.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #14 prospect in 2013
  That Cecchini is going to hit seems a foregone conclusion. After all, his .443 on-base percentage compiled at high Class A Salem and Portland led the minors. Cecchini refuses to play into the pitcher?s hand at the plate, doing his best with what he?s given and using his instincts and average speed on the basepaths. Cecchini utilizes a gap-to-gap approach with a lefthanded swing made to spray line drives to all sectors of the ballpark. That approach, however, isn?t promising for power in the long term, and most scouts doubt his potential for suitable home-run output required at third base. The reviews on Cecchini?s defense are just lukewarm. He has a slow first step and his throwing mechanics aren?t smooth, though he does have a solid arm.
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  Ranked Carolina League #6 prospect in 2013
  The best pure hitter in the league, Cecchini combines above-average pitch recognition and bat speed to drill line drives all over the field. He has tremendous hand-eye coordination and works the count until he gets a pitch to his liking, with Carolina?s Wallace noting that he is just as dangerous with two strikes as he is ahead in the count. ?It?s almost like he was setting the pitcher up for what he wanted,? he said. ?There is no panic in him.? Cecchini has the size and bat speed to hit for power but has yet to tap into it in games. No one doubts his ability to hit for average, and most league observers believe the power will come with experience. ?With his frame and strength, I don?t think him driving the ball out is too much of a stretch as he continues to spot it better and gets stronger,? Salem manager Billy McMillon said. Cecchini played shortstop as an amateur and is still getting comfortable at third base. He has plenty of arm strength for the corner, and McMillon said any shortcomings there?he committed 12 errors in 59 games?are due more to confidence than a lack of fundamentals. He runs well, even better underway, and has good basestealing instincts.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #15 prospect in 2012
  Cecchini's first two pro seasons were cut short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee (2010) and a broken right wrist (2011), but he finally stayed healthy this year. He responded by ranking third in the league in doubles (38) and steals (51), fourth in runs (84) and 10th in hitting (.305). Cecchini controls the strike zone and consistently barrels balls with power to the gaps. He has solid speed and his outstanding instincts make him a basestealing threat. He's still learning third base after playing shortstop in high school, but he has the agility, hands and arm--manager rated his the strongest among SAL infielders--to stay there for the long haul. "This guy's a better runner than I thought he was," a scout with an American League club said. "It's a 55 or 60 runner with very good instincts. He's solid at third base. He doesn't have profile power yet, but I think he will grow into his power. I like the swing."
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #2 prospect in 2011
  Cecchini likely would have been a first-round pick in 2010 had he not torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that March. Signed for $1.31 million in the fourth round, he worked hard to come back from the injury and shined in the middle of Lowell's lineup until an errant pitch broke his right wrist and ended his season on July 23. "For a young kid, he was their three-hole hitter, he used the whole field and he hurt us every time," Connecticut manager Andrew Graham said. "We'd try to jam him, and he'd pull it down the line. We'd go away, and he'd hit it down the opposite-field line." Cecchini is particularly adept at going the other way. He has advanced plate discipline for his age and projects as solid-average to plus hitter who figures to grow into comparable power down the road. He has solid-average speed to go with sure hands and a strong, accurate arm at third base.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #74 prospect in 2014

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: After blowing out his right knee as a high school senior and having a pitch break his right wrist in his pro debut, Cecchini finally stayed healthy in 2012. The $1.31 million bonus signee ranked third in the low Class A South Atlantic League in doubles (38) and steals (51 in 57 attempts) and was named Red Sox minor league baserunner of the year. The Mets drafted his younger brother Gavin 12th overall in June. Scouting Report: Cecchini is a pure hitter who excels at controlling the strike zone, managing at-bats and making adjustments. He has enough bat speed and strength to develop average power once he learns to load his hands better in his swing. It's hard to believe considering his 51 swipes, but Cecchini is a below-average runner out of the box. Though he has a quick first step and tremendous instincts on the bases, he won't be a huge basestealing threat at higher levels. He's also savvy in the field, leading SAL third basemen in fielding percentage (.944). He moves well laterally, and managers rated his infield arm as the best in the league. The Future: He has the tools to be a solid regular at third base, but Will Middlebrooks and possibly Xander Bogaerts may preclude Cecchini from playing there in Boston. If his power comes, he'd profile well on an outfield corner. He'll open 2013 in high Class A.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Cecchini might have been a first-round pick in 2010 had he not blown out the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and required reconstructive surgery that March. His rumored price tag made teams back off until the Red Sox drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for $1.31 million at the deadline. He tore up older competition in the short-season New York-Penn League last summer until an errant pitch broke his right wrist in late July. His brother Gavin is a potential first-rounder in the 2012 draft. Scouting Report: Cecchini is the best pure hitter in the system. He has outstanding hand-eye coordination, and he manages at-bats and controls the strike zone well for a youngster. He inside-outs a lot of balls now, and he should have solid power once he gets stronger and turns on more pitches. Cecchini worked diligently to get back in shape after his knee injury, regaining his average speed. A high school shortstop, he moved to third base at Lowell and made 10 errors in 26 games. He has the hands, arm and agility to get the job done once he learns the position. The Future: Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts, the system's top two prospects, profile best at the hot corner. So does Cecchini, who will advance to low Class A and could start to move quickly if he stays healthy.