|
Post by jimed14 on Mar 12, 2014 9:42:04 GMT -5
Yes, this is from Bleacher Report, but it goes back to what I've been saying about Cecchini's swing. It might just be Rich Gedman's doing with the Charlie Lau school of creating identical swings that work for some but not others. Interesting that it's from January 2011. bleacherreport.com/articles/571250-red-sox-notebook-questions-abound-as-rich-gedman-named-hitting-coach-at-lowellI cannot remember where I read it, but it was sometime this spring. Cecchini said pretty adamantly that he's only looking to hit line drives and that he's not going to start swinging for the fences.
|
|
|
Post by Guidas on Mar 12, 2014 12:07:00 GMT -5
He could get more loft if he set up like Youkilis did later on (bat head practically pointing at the pitcher) but it could affect the shortness of his path to the ball. Probably the best bet is for Cecchini to establish he can hit MLB pitching/get on base consistently enough first and then work on adding loft to the ball on contact.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Mar 12, 2014 15:27:44 GMT -5
I'm predicting a Mark Grace-like career. Although Grace did hit for more power in the minors: www.markgrace.com/minorstats.html(I was just as surprised to know that there was a 'markgrace.com')
|
|
|
Post by njsox on Mar 12, 2014 17:33:30 GMT -5
Maybe a Joe Mauer career? I'll take it
|
|
|
Post by fenwaythehardway on Mar 12, 2014 17:47:39 GMT -5
Maybe a Joe Mauer career? I'll take it Maybe not.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Apr 22, 2014 12:16:56 GMT -5
Cecchini isn't doing much to dispel the concerns about his power. .079 ISO and the corresponding huge drop in walk rate to 7.2. I realize the sample size isn't big enough yet.
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Apr 22, 2014 13:03:56 GMT -5
The dude just turned 23 and is hitting .317/.377/.397 in his first 17 Triple-A games. I'm pretty happy with that.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Apr 22, 2014 13:14:48 GMT -5
The dude just turned 23 and is hitting .317/.377/.397 in his first 17 Triple-A games. I'm pretty happy with that. I'm happy with all but the power. Only 3 XBH.
|
|
|
Post by charliezink16 on Apr 22, 2014 16:30:28 GMT -5
The dude just turned 23 and is hitting .317/.377/.397 in his first 17 Triple-A games. I'm pretty happy with that. I'm happy with all but the power. Only 3 XBH. Xander has higher power expectations and only has 3 XBH's, are you worried about him?
|
|
|
Post by fenwaythehardway on Apr 22, 2014 19:38:13 GMT -5
I'm happy with all but the power. Only 3 XBH. Xander has higher power expectations and only has 3 XBH's, are you worried about him? No, because his power isn't in question. Cecchini's is.
|
|
|
Post by wskeleton76 on Apr 22, 2014 19:41:08 GMT -5
Cecchini's defense isn't good at all. He might be moved into 1B/LF. 1B/LF with little power is called a tweener.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Apr 22, 2014 21:30:38 GMT -5
I'm happy with all but the power. Only 3 XBH. Xander has higher power expectations and only has 3 XBH's, are you worried about him? 4 now, so no.
|
|
|
Post by beasleyrockah on Apr 22, 2014 23:07:31 GMT -5
From the reports I've read about Cecchini's defense, I worry how he would do even at first base. I've alternately heard him described as mechanical, stiff and having bad reflexes. Is he essentially Mike Carp with less power? Mike Carp without power is a non-prospect. Power is all Carp really brings to the table. Cecchini is a completely different player/talent, the two aren't comparable. Cecchini's future defensive position and value is obviously an open question, but Carp has already proven he's useless defensively.
|
|
|
Post by wskeleton76 on Apr 22, 2014 23:28:14 GMT -5
I think James Loney is a good comp.
|
|
|
Post by jmei on Apr 22, 2014 23:34:49 GMT -5
From the reports I've read about Cecchini's defense, I worry how he would do even at first base. I've alternately heard him described as mechanical, stiff and having bad reflexes. Is he essentially Mike Carp with less power? Cecchini is far, far more athletic than Carp. He's awkward and stiff, but in terms of raw speed and quickness, it's not even close. I'm pretty confident Cecchini could be at least an average defender in LF. They aren't sinilar offensively, either. Cecchini has a plus hit tool and plus discipline. Carp is average to below in each of those departments. I like to think of Cecchini's realistic offensive floor as 2012 Nava and his realistic ceiling as 2013 Nava.
|
|
thor
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by thor on Apr 23, 2014 6:08:06 GMT -5
I think James Loney is a good comp. Damn you !!!
|
|
|
Post by oilcansman on Apr 23, 2014 12:07:54 GMT -5
cecchini appears to pretty much be a one tool guy. Maybe with a little speed. There are five tools. Cecchini can hit for average. No power to date. Shaky defense. Haven't heard about the arm so we'll see. Speed? Well, last season he stole 23 and got caught 9 times. That's about 70%. Solid but the general rule is that a player is not considered to be a good base stealer unless he has a 75% or greater chance of making it.
His slugging % is disappointing. He's just an OBP guy, which is fine but unless he really comes on defensively or with his power, he's not that valuable.
|
|
|
Post by jmei on Apr 23, 2014 12:52:19 GMT -5
cecchini appears to pretty much be a one tool guy. Maybe with a little speed. There are five tools. Cecchini can hit for average. No power to date. Shaky defense. Haven't heard about the arm so we'll see. Speed? Well, last season he stole 23 and got caught 9 times. That's about 70%. Solid but the general rule is that a player is not considered to be a good base stealer unless he has a 75% or greater chance of making it. His slugging % is disappointing. He's just an OBP guy, which is fine but unless he really comes on defensively or with his power, he's not that valuable. One of the things I hate most about the old five-tool system is that it implies the tools are made equally. They aren't. Hitting for average and (and getting on base, which is omitted entirely) are much more important than, say, speed or arm strength (Cecchini has an above-average arm, by the way). If Cecchini is something like a .280/.360/.400 hitter (which is not a particularly optimistic projection, IMO), he'll be an above-average starter even with below-average defense at 3B. Now, the fact that his power has not developed probably means he'll never be a perennial All-Star like some of us hoped, but that was probably too optimistic to begin with. The real problem is if he has to move positions. That line would only be slightly above-average in LF (where the league-average OBP/SLG are .323/.412) and averagish at 1B (.337/.436).
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Apr 23, 2014 12:55:09 GMT -5
The real problem is if he has to move positions. That line would only be slightly above-average in LF (where the league-average OBP/SLG are .323/.412) and averagish at 1B (.337/.436). Cecchini stands a chance to be an above average corner outfielder, though. He's a fairly athletic guy, and his biggest problem at third base is his footwork. What he loses in positional adjustment offensively he very well may gain in simply being better at fielding the position.
|
|
|
Post by oilcansman on Apr 23, 2014 14:02:56 GMT -5
What evidence is there that he will be an above average corner outfielder? He's never played that position and already has defensive problems to begin with. With no power and below average defense, he will never be more than an average third baseman. A 5-10 home run corner outfielder better be special defensively.
Cecchini is a good 2nd or third piece in a trade. Owens, Cecchini and say, Webster for Stanton at the end of this year is interesting. I know, in general, everybody here thinks our prospects are untouchable but they really aren't. The system lacks power. Stanton solves it.
|
|
|
Post by jimed14 on Apr 23, 2014 14:04:49 GMT -5
What evidence is there that he will be an above average corner outfielder? He's never played that position and already has defensive problems to begin with. With no power and below average defense, he will never be more than an average third baseman. A 5-10 home run corner outfielder better be special defensively. Cecchini is a good 2nd or third piece in a trade. Owens, Cecchini and say, Webster for Stanton at the end of this year is interesting. I know, in general, everybody here thinks our prospects are untouchable but they really aren't. The system lacks power. Stanton solves it. There is no literal evidence because he hasn't played OF. Are you asking for that? Let me know when Stanton is on the block and gets traded. It's so simple until you turn commissioner mode off.
|
|
|
Post by James Dunne on Apr 23, 2014 14:08:17 GMT -5
What evidence is there that he will be an above average corner outfielder? Beyond personal opinion having seen him play, none. It's just a thing that I think.
|
|
|
Post by jmei on Apr 23, 2014 14:17:45 GMT -5
What evidence is there that he will be an above average corner outfielder? He's never played that position and already has defensive problems to begin with. With no power and below average defense, he will never be more than an average third baseman. A 5-10 home run corner outfielder better be special defensively. Cecchini's defensive issues are technique-driven. He has bad footwork, slow reaction times, and stiff transitions-- all bad signs for a third baseman. But he's always been a well-regarded athlete (if not an elite one) with average-to-above arm strength and slightly above-average speed, which bodes well for a transition to left field. Now, he may end up being a bad outfielder because that athleticism doesn't translate or he doesn't learn to track balls well or he has a slow first step, but his raw tools seem to suggest a possible fit. Also, for what it's worth, new SoxProspects scout Chaz Fiorino wrote up Cecchini recently. You should read the whole piece, but here's his takeaway:
|
|
|
Post by iakovos11 on Apr 23, 2014 15:12:49 GMT -5
He did play some some LF for Team USA because all their all-stars were SS's some of them had to move to other positions. Not sure if there are any scouting reports or simple observations for him from that time in LF.
|
|
nomar
Veteran
Posts: 10,438
|
Post by nomar on May 18, 2014 12:07:04 GMT -5
Please start raking so you can be an option at 3B
|
|