Gavin Cecchini to New York Mets: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Position: SS

Height/Weight: 6’0"/175 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

DOB: 12/22/1993

High School: Barbe (LA.)

College Commitment: Mississippi

A right-handed hitter, Cecchini has quick wrists and a compact swing that allow him to drive the ball from line-to-line. The ball jumps off his bat due to a direct and fluid bat path. He doesn’t have a ton of present power; however, he’s gotten considerably stronger over the last year-and-a-half, which has aided his overall power projection. Furthermore, Cecchini understands his swing as well as any hitter in the draft.

He’s not an exceptionally fast runner, but Cecchini’s above-average speed plays up both on defense and on the bases due to his natural instincts and high baseball IQ. He has true hands and quick, natural actions at shortstop, as well as a strong, accurate arm that will allow him to excel at the position.

The younger brother of Boston Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini—a fourth-round selection by the Red Sox in 2010—Gavin has a chance to have a better career, which says a lot. His father Glenn was his high school baseball coach at Barbe High School in Louisiana.

Cecchini is more polished than the typical prep shortstop and has drawn comparisons to the Orioles’ J.J. Hardy due to his upside on offense. He may not need as much seasoning in the minors compared to some other prospects and could conceivably reach the majors by late 2015.

Pick Analysis:

The Mets took Cecchini at No. 12, 12 spots ahead of Baseball Prospectus' projected No. 24. But BP also noted that the Mets might have had Cecchini as one of three players on their alternates list.

Ruben Tejada, who is 22 years old, was the Mets' starting shortstop this season until a leg injury knocked him out for most of May. Not that Cecchini would be coming to the majors any time soon, but if Tejada works out, the Mets won't need Cecchini at short for quite a while.