Gavin Cecchini

2017 wound up being a bit of a down year for Cecchini. After demolishing Triple-A pitching in 2016, the infield prospect repeated that same level and saw almost a 60-point downturn in his batting average. He still got an extended look in Queens thanks to a plethora of injuries at the major-league level, but he hit just .208 in 77 at-bats. Fortunately, his plate skills portend improvement, at least in terms of batting average. Cecchini has displayed an excellent batting eye and above-average contact skills. Unfortunately, he packs little power or speed. Regardless, Cecchini should compete with Wilmer Flores for the primary role at second base in spring training. That is, barring any offseason additions in the infield.

His triple-slash line with Triple-A Las Vegas looks well and fine and some of the numbers are supported by a strong command of the strike zone. However, Cecchini hit just eight homers despite playing in the notoriously favorable hitting conditions of the Pacific Coast League (matching a career high in home runs), and he's never been much of a runner. Now 23, the former first-round pick would seem to have limited upside given the lack of power or speed and the floor isn't going to be enough to entice many keeper league owners. With Asdrubal Cabrera locked in for 2017 as the primary shortstop and top prospect Amed Rosario waiting in the wings, Cecchini faces a highly obstructed path to regular major league playing time in his current organization.

Cecchini had his best season as a professional in 2015, showing improvement while taking on the challenge of Double-A competition for the first time as a 21-year-old. Defensively, he should remain at shortstop as he continues to advance through the Mets system, and at the very least, he appears to have the strong plate discipline (11.3% K%, 8.7% BB%) foundation necessary to sustain a good OBP at higher levels. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he should have a chance to develop a modicum of additional pop if he can make the necessary adjustments to his swing, but Cecchini should continue to hit for average regardless of whether he develops double-digit home-run power down the road. He is rarely active on the basepaths, however, having attempted just seven steals in 109 games with Binghamton last season. The Mets will likely advance him to Triple-A to begin 2016, with the hope that he might be ready to take over the starting shortstop spot in New York in 2017.

Cecchini spent most of 2014 at Low-A Savannah (57 games) and High-A St. Lucie (68 games), and was largely underwhelming offensively. He hit eight home runs with 10 steals and slashed .247/.328/.378 in 534 plate appearances across both levels. He figures to start his age-21 season at Double-A Binghamton, but there are questions about his future position as he moves up the ladder. He lacks the defensive chops to cut it as a big league shortstop and he doesn’t have the stick to profile at the keystone. Cecchini may be able to hack it as a utility infielder at the highest level, but even that outcome is likely two years away, meaning fantasy owners should bypass him when sifting through middle infielders in the Mets’ system.

Cecchini began and finished 2013 where he finished 2012, with Brooklyn of the New York-Penn League. In the year-and-a-half since he has been drafted, Cecchini hasn't done much to show he deserved to be the 12th overall selection in the 2012 draft. Cecchini still strikes out too often, walks too infrequently and has shown almost no power in over 400 plate appearances. He is just 20 years old, but needs to add strength to his frame and remain healthy enough to play a full season. Defense is his calling card, but there are question marks regarding his bat at this stage of his career.

Cecchini was drafted 12th overall by the Mets in the 2012 draft. Some scouts felt that the team should have gone for Courtney Hawkins due to lack of true upside in Cecchini and questions as to how his bat will play down the road. However, Cecchini was viewed as a "safe" pick, and does have decent speed and is solid defensively, which should aid him as he moves up the ladder. For those considering options in dynasty leagues, the moderate ceiling makes stashing him less appealing.