Well, we’ve entered the Top 10 of our mid-season rankings, so things are getting serious…
The traditional scouting scale, which ranks players on a scale of 20-80 (abbreviated at times without the zero), can summarize how we feel about a player in an easy to understand format. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the scale, you’ll see two numbers — something like 30/60, which isn’t a fraction, but rather a representation of their present status and their potential. The number on the left represents their current standing, while the number on the right shows what they could become. For a further explanation on what the numbers mean, I strongly encourage you to check out these links (Scouting for Batters and Scouting for Pitchers) which I will leave on each post going ahead in this series. With that being said, I really hope you enjoy our work going ahead, and any and all questions and comments are appreciated.
9. Gavin Cecchini, SS
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Contact: 35/60 Power: 25/40 Speed: 50/50 Fielding: 40/50 Arm: 50/50
Selected 12th overall in the 2012 first year Player Draft out of Barbe High School in Louisiana, Gavin Cecchini is all potential. When many write him off for being an average player, they fail to see that a first round pick doesn’t need to be a superstar caliber player. Widely thought as the “safe pick”, Cecchini is supposedly a player with average to above average tools across the board, except power.
In terms of contact, Gavin could become a .275 to .280 hitter from the right side of the dish, with 30 doubles, and 10-14 home runs annually. Though he hasn’t grown into that power yet, there still is some time, as he is 19 years old.
His fielding, although he has good instincts, is brought down by average speed and an average arm. All things considered however, Cecchini looks to be able to stick at shortstop. In terms of makeup, he is said to never leave the gym, and is the first one on the field. A front office official told me at spring training that he is a natural leader on the field.
Cecchini is currently on the similar path as Brandon Nimmo, going step by step through the system, with the second year being in New York-Penn League, where college players go after being drafted. He is currently hitting .259 in 15 games. A small sample size that has been cut deeper due to an ankle injury. Either way, as at least an average to possibly above average shortstop, he could make a major league impact by 2016 if everything goes right.
MMN Mid-Season Top 25 Prospects
10. Jack Leathersich
11. Kevin Plawecki
12. Rainy Lara
13. Cory Vaughn
14. Gabriel Ynoa
15. Domingo Tapia
16. Steven Matz
17. Jacob deGrom
18. Matthew Bowman
19. Vicente Lupo
20. Hansel Robles
22. L.J. Mazzilli
23.Luis Mateo
24. Amed Rosario
25. Ivan Wilson
I’m confused as to why Cecchini is so high. Is it because he might be an average player at a premium position? If Gavin is also as raw as he is, some of the other players mentioned on this list probably have higher ceilings than him and are more polished. I
think the rest of this list is fantastic, however I can’t seem to understand this fascination with Cecchini
Most fans can’t because they can’t look past the lack of power (18 or more homers) and speed(60 on the scouting grade+). He is an average to above average (Not star) at a premium position. You don’t find many of those at shortstop, and you’re lucky if you do.
People tend to think that Correa and Profar are dime a dozen. They aren’t.
He’s also high there because he was taken 12th overall and has a lot of potential.
On prospect lists, since no one knows what’s actually going to happen, potential is key versus results for the most part at this stage. Then, when they move up the minors, production becomes more key and potential loses its potency.
You look to any GM who is asked if they’d want a shortstop that hits .280 with 10-14 home runs and solid defense, and they say “heck yes”
Thanks for the response! It’s interesting to see how you guys think about making these lists and seeing your balance between potential vs results.
While I understand that players like correa and profar are special and you’d be lucky to get your hands on one of them, it’d still be nice to dream that Gecchini could develop a plus tool somewhere down the line. Especially since he was drafted so high.
I look forward to seeing the rest of this list!
I agree with Teddy. Despite being raw and young, he’s considered to be a safe bet to be an everyday major leaguer by most scouts. So while he doesn’t ooze potential and tools, up the middle players (C, 2B, SS, CF) who are safe bets don’t grow on trees.
So Teddy, Boyd doesn’t crack the top 25? Interesting. I understand his age and level and position work against him, but I would have thought he’d be higher than a guy like Mazzilli after the way he’s killed the ball this year.
It wasn’t just me working on this list ROTK, it was a few correlated together. And to tell the truth, he wasn’t on mine, but nor was Boyd for all the reasons you unintentionally put up there…
Unintentionally?
bad wording on my part.