Photo Credit: Rick Nelson/MiLB.com
As part of Baseball America ranking the top 20 prospects at each position, two Mets were named among the top shortstop prospects in baseball:
#3 Amed Rosario
2016 Level: St. Lucie & Binghamton
2016 Stats: 120 G, 479 AB, 65 R, 155 H, 24 2B, 13 3B, 5 HR, 71 RBI, 19 SB, .324/.374/.459
MMN Rank: #1
#20 Gavin Cecchini
2016 Level: Las Vegas & New York Mets
2016 MiLB Statistics: 117 G, 499 PA, 446 AB, 71 R, 145 H, 27 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 55 RBI, 4 SB, .325/.390/.448
2016 MLB Statistics: 4 G, 7 PA, 6 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 2 2B, 2 RBI, .333/.429/.667
MMN Rank: #7
With both of these players slated to play in Las Vegas next year, it is likely Cecchini moves to second base where he will combine with Rosario to be one of the most exciting double play combinations not just in Triple-A, but in all of baseball.
With Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera potentially being free agents after this season, this duo could possibly become the Mets double play combination sooner rather than later.
No matter when it happens, Rosario and Cecchini promise to be a big part of the Mets for years to come.
Assuming he plays reasonably well this year, I´m assuming that the Mets will pick up Cabrera´s option for 2018. Having a guy who could start at 2B, 3B, or SS, or act as backup and mentor to younger guys seems like a no-brainer.
Absolutely think he’s back, just a matter of where he plays. Mets again should have some nice infielder depth in 2018 regardless of whether Walker comes back or not.
Is GC trade bait as a shortstop and Rosario plays a little third base at Vegas or does Rosario start day 1 at short and Gavin at second ? Seems that the Mets want to extend Walker if they can so Cecchini likely gets traded at the deadline for a bull pen arm.
You have to pick up Cabrera’s option and have him available in case Rosario needs a little more seasoning in 2018. Rosario would not be the first prospect (i.e. Conforto) who needs to go back to AAA.
Interesting as to whether Mets resign Reyes for that role in 2018 instead of picking up the Cabrera option.
That is why we play the season!