2012 MLB Draft Prospects: Potential Nationals Selection Gavin Cecchini

The MLB draft will be held next week—June 4 through June 6—and teams are finalizing their pre-draft preparations as it becomes clearer who will be getting drafted with the early selections.

The Washington Nationals will be picking at No. 16, and there will be several very talented young players available to draft.

Matt Garrioch of MinorLeagueBall.com predicts that the Nationals will take shortstop prospect Gavin Cecchini, an 18-year-old out of Barbe High School in Louisiana.

MLB.com has Cecchini ranked as the 19th best prospect available, so taking him at No. 16 would not be much of a reach for the Nationals.

Here's the scouting report on Cecchini from MLB.com:

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Cecchini has a quick stroke with good extension, enabling him to make consistent hard contact. He's got mostly gap power now and his speed plus instincts allow him to be a basestealing threat and take the extra base. Those instincts also help him defensively.

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However, Cecchini does not project as a shortstop down the line. He grades just average with his arm strength and range, so a move over to second base may be the best for his career.

A move to second would make sense for the Nats, as it's unclear as to whether or not Danny Espinosa will be the long-term answer at the position.

Cecchini is currently committed to Mississippi, but that all could change depending on the situation that's presented before him on draft day.